 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
34
Another differential point expressed in cases of textual co-occurrence of the units compared consists in the
subjective use of the genitive noun (subject of action) against the objective use of the prepositional noun (object
of action). Cf.: My Lord's choice of the butler; the partisans' rescue of the prisoners; the treaty's denunciation of
mutual threats.
Furthermore, the genitive is used in combination with the of-phrase on a complementary basis expressing
the functional semantics which may roughly be called "appurtenance rank gradation": a difference in
construction (i.e. the use of the genitive against the use of the of-phrase) signals a difference in correlated ranks
of semantic domination. Cf:. the country's strain of wartime (lower rank: the strain of wartime; higher rank: the
country's strain); the sight of Satispy’s face (higher rank: the sight of the face; lower rank: Satispy's face).
It is certainly these and other differential points and complementary uses that sustain the particle genitive as
part of the systemic expression of nounal relations in spite of the disintegration of the inflexional case in the
course of historical development of English.
§ 5. Within the general functional semantics of appurtenance, the English genitive expresses a wide range
of relational meanings specified in the regular interaction of the semantics of the subordinating and
subordinated elements in the genitive phrase. Summarizing the results of extensive investigations in this field,
the following basic semantic types of the genitive can be pointed out.
First, the form which can be called the "genitive of possessor" (Lat. "genetivus possessori"). Its
constructional meaning will be defined as "inorganic" possession, i.e. possessional relation (in the broad sense)
of the genitive referent to the object denoted by the head-noun. E.g.: Christine's living-room; the assistant
manager's desk; Dad's earnings; Kate and Jerry's grandparents; the Steel Corporation's hired slaves.
The diagnostic test for the genitive of possessor is its transformation into a construction that explicitly
expresses the idea of possession (belonging) inherent in the form. Cf:. Christine's living-room > the living-
room belongs to Christine; the Steel Corporation's hired slaves > the Steel Corporation possesses hired
slaves.*
* We avoid the use of the verb have in diagnostic constructions, because have itself, due to its polyscmantism, wants diagnostic
contextual specifications.
Second, the form which can be called the "genitive of integer" (Lat. "genetivus integri"). Its constructional
meaning will be defined as "organic possession", i.e. a broad possessional relation of a whole to its part. E.g.:
Jane's busy hands; Patrick's voice; the patient's health; the hotel's lobby.
Diagnostic test: ... > the busy hands as part of Jane's person; ... > the health as part of the patient's state; ...
> the lobby as a component part of the hotel, etc.
A subtype of the integer genitive expresses a qualification received by the genitive referent through the
head-word. E.g.: Mr. Dodson's vanity; the computer's reliability.
This subtype of the genitive can be called the "genitive of received qualification" (Lat. "genetivus
qualificationis receptae").
Third, the "genitive of agent" (Lat. "genetivus agentis"). The more traditional name of this genitive is
"subjective" (Lat. "genetivus subjectivus"). The latter term seems inadequate because of its unjustified narrow
application: nearly all the genitive types stand in subjective relation to the referents of the head-nouns. The
general meaning of the genitive of agent is explained in its name: this form renders an activity or some broader
processual relation with the referent of the genitive as its subject. E.g.: the great man's arrival; Petor's
insistence; the councillor's attitude; Campbell Clark's gaze; the hotel's competitive position.
Diagnostic test: ... > the great man arrives; ... > Peter insists; ... > the hotel occupies a competitive
position, etc.
A subtype of the agent genitive expresses the author, or, more broadly considered, the producer of the
referent of the head-noun. Hence, it receives the name of the "genitive of author" (Lat. "genetivus auctori").
E.g.: Beethoven's sonatas; John Galsworthy's "A Man of Property"; the committee's progress report.
Diagnostic test: ... > Beethoven composed (is the author of) the sonatas; ... > the committee has compiled
(is the compiler of) the progress report, etc.
Fourth, the "genitive of patient" (Lat. "genetivus patientis"). This type of genitive, in contrast to the above,
expresses the recipient of the action or process denoted by the head-noun. E.g.: the champion's sensational
defeat; Erick's final expulsion; the meeting's chairman; the St Gregory's proprietor; the city's business leaders;
the Titanic's tragedy.
Diagnostic test: ... > the champion is defeated (i.e. his opponent defeated him); ... > Erick is expelled; ...
> the meeting is chaired by its chairman; ... > the St Gregory is owned by its proprietor, etc.