Predicative possession choice in Argentinian Spanish : An experimental study
Fuchs, Martin (Freie Universität Berlin)
Dickinson, Kendra (Rutgers University)
Schwenter, Scott (The Ohio State University)

Date:	2025
Abstract:	This study investigates the expression of predicative possession in Argentinian Spanish, focusing on the alternation between two constructions: tener ('have') + NP and estar con ('be with') + NP. Building on previous research, we explore the factors that determine speakers' choices between these constructions, particularly the influence of temporal context and the presence of adverbs. Using a forced-choice experimental design, participants were presented with vignettes varying in temporal duration (durative vs. non-durative) and adverbial modification (extending, limiting, or none). Results show a strong overall preference for the tener + NP construction, particularly in durative contexts. However, the estar con + NP construction is more likely to be selected in non-durative contexts, especially when a limiting adverb is present. These findings suggest that the distinction between the two constructions is not purely semantic but also pragmatically modulated by temporal and contextual factors. We argue that this pattern reflects a subset-superset relationship between the two constructions, where tener + NP can cover a broader temporal scope than estar con + NP. This overlap mirrors cross-linguistic findings on possessive constructions and aspectual distinctions, with implications for understanding grammaticalization processes in Romance languages.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Possession ; Spanish ; Aspect ; Grammaticalization
Published in:	Isogloss, Vol. 11 Núm. 5 (2025) , p. 1-17 (Articles) , ISSN 2385-4138

Adreça original: https://revistes.uab.cat/isogloss/article/view/v11-n5-fuchs-dickinson-schwenter
DOI: 10.5565/rev/isogloss.502

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