Prenominal possessives in Yiddish: mayn khaver versus mayner a khaver

Abstract

Abstract This article provides a systematic comparison and detailed analysis of two prenominal possessive constructions in Yiddish, the familiar mayn khaver ‘my friend’ and the less well-known mayner a khaver ‘a friend of mine.’ It is demonstrated that the first construction is definite and that the second construction is indefinite. It is argued that the possessor in the first construction is in Spec,DP. Making the standard assumption that (in-)definiteness is determined in the DP-level, this construction straightforwardly adheres to Definiteness Spread analyzed as Spec-head agreement. As to the second construction, it is proposed that the possessor is embedded in a second nominal and that nominal is in a position higher than the DP-level. Discussing four different analyses, it is concluded that the possessor of the second construction is most likely adjoined to the DP-level. As such, the possessor plays no role in Definiteness Spread, and the indefinite article brings about indefiniteness. The investigation is guided by relating the second construction to two other intriguing cases: eyner a khaver ‘a certain friend’ and epes a khaver ‘some friend.’ It is shown that predeterminer elements (mayner, eyner, epes) can be stacked and switch positions. This supports an analysis of adjunction. More generally, the data provide more evidence that there are structural positions above the DP proper.