possessionmarked

Possessionmarked is a term in linguistic typology describing how languages encode possession within noun phrases. It refers to systems where the relationship between a possessor and a possessed noun is signaled through morphology or syntax, either by marking on the possessor, on the possessed, or via a combination of both. The concept is used to compare how different languages express ownership and related relations such as inalienable possession.

Two primary strategies are commonly discussed. Possession marked on the possessor involves attaching a possessive marker to the possessor noun or pronoun. English illustrates this with forms like John’s book, where the marker is bound to the possessor and marks ownership. Possession marked on the possessed uses a genitive or possessive affix on the possessed noun (or a determiner) to indicate the owner. Turkish is often cited in discussions of this pattern, as phrases like adam-ın kitap-ı literally render “the man’s book,” with a genitive marker on the possessor.

Some languages employ a mixed approach, combining markers on both the possessor and the possessed, or using independent possessive pronouns or particles (such as post-nominal or pre-nominal possessive elements) to indicate ownership. Inalienable and alienable distinctions frequently interact with possession marking, with some systems exhibiting special morphology for certain noun classes (e.g., body parts, kin terms).

The term possessionmarked is not universally standardized; researchers may prefer terms such as genitive marking, possessive case, or possessive constructions depending on theoretical emphasis. It remains a useful label for describing how languages encode ownership within noun phrases.

See also: possessive, genitive case, alienable and inalienable possession, noun phrase, grammatical case.