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A systemic typology of existential and possessive constructions
Wang, Y.1; Xu, J.2
2013
Source PublicationFunctions of Language
ISSN0929-998X
Volume20Issue:1Pages:1-30
Abstract

In this article, we examine locational constructions (including existentials, locatives, and possessives) in a number of languages. Morpho-syntactically, locationals resemble or are related to one another in word order, in case marking, and in the choice of verbs. In semantics, the relatedness lies in the definiteness effect, in the locative feature, and in the mutually defining relationship between the semantic elements within each construction. As is recognized by Heine (1997), Stassen (2001) and others, the existential is one of the major sources from which possessives are derived. Basically, possessive constructions are existentials whose locative elements are prototypically human. We argue that locational constructions are relational processes and that they can be integrated into a systemic network with respect to two semantic features, i.e., the definiteness of the existent element and the humanness of the locative element. This systemic relationship between locationals has implications for the description and comparison of languages within the Systemic Functional Grammar framework, particularly where locationals are concerned.

DOI10.1075/fol.20.1.01wan
Indexed BySSCI ; A&HCI
Language英語English
WOS Research AreaLinguistics
WOS SubjectLinguistics ; Language & Linguistics
WOS IDWOS:000319502200001
PublisherJOHN BENJAMINS PUBLISHING CO PO BOX 36224, 1020 ME AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Scopus ID2-s2.0-84877729821
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Citation statistics
Document TypeJournal article
CollectionFaculty of Arts and Humanities
DEPARTMENT OF CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Corresponding AuthorWang, Y.
Affiliation1.School of Foreign Languages, Central China Normal University, 152 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei (430079), China
2.Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Macau, Av. Padre Tomas Pereira S.J., Taipa, Macau
Recommended Citation
GB/T 7714
Wang, Y.,Xu, J.. A systemic typology of existential and possessive constructions[J]. Functions of Language, 2013, 20(1), 1-30.
APA Wang, Y.., & Xu, J. (2013). A systemic typology of existential and possessive constructions. Functions of Language, 20(1), 1-30.
MLA Wang, Y.,et al."A systemic typology of existential and possessive constructions".Functions of Language 20.1(2013):1-30.
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