“Jitvjegy je za okrimne plymne”: Predicate Nominals in Westpolessian in Comparison with Neighboring Slavic Languages

Abstract

In this article the constructions with Predicate Nominals (PN) expressed by a prepositional phrase ‘za + Acc’ are analysed, including constructions of the type X byl za Y in which PN is controlled by a subject, and constructions of the type schitaju X za Y in which PN is controlled by an object. In Westpolessian language the prepositional phrase is one of the main means of expressing PN, while in the surrounding literary languages it is presented mainly in the constructions of the second type. Ukrainian, Belarusian, Polish, and also Belarusian dialect materials testify semantic specialisation of the construction of the type Y byl za Y. The construction is used to indicate an activity, a profession, or a position of a person. Refs 25. Table 1.