Prominent internal possessors in Bashkir

Abstract

Bashkir (Turkic) definite possessors are invariably coded by genitives. Bashkir quasi-coordinate constructions in which the non-finite clause is headed by the converb in -p normally require coreferential subjects, but are sometimes acceptable if there is coreference between a genitival possessor in either clause and the subject in the other clause. Typically, these prominent possessors are animate, topical, and affected by the event, the possessive relations are inalienable, and the respective possessed nominals are inanimate. However, none of these absolute requirements is obligatory; the possessor’s ability to control coreference is determined relatively: it must occupy the leftmost position in the clause and be more salient than other available noun phrases. The ability of genitival nominals in Bashkir to function as prominent possessors is related to their other exceptional properties: Bashkir genitives are used in many contexts where other languages switch to clause-level possessors.