4.2.2.  The semantic properties of the arguments

The semantic properties of the arguments (e.g. animacy) do not seem to influence the choice between copulas. In the example, the first possessor is a human being, the second possessor is an inanimate object. Furthermore, there are three possesses altogether: one is animate, the other two are inanimates.
Mari-nak van egy kutyá-ja és egy háza-a, a ház-nak pedig van egy padlása.
Mary-DAT be.3SG a dog-POSS and a house-POSS the house-DAT and be.3SG an attic-POSS
’Mary has a dog and a house, and the house has an attic.’
Source: Example provided by database editor (native speaker).
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Read more about:
  • nonverbal predication
  • possession
  • predicative possession
    • in Linguistic terms and definitions.