A Grammar of Tamashek (Tuareg of Mali)

5.2 Possession and compounding 257

5.1.2.10 Tent sizes

From a K-d speaker come the forms in (244) and (245).

(244) a. i η saendt-aet

Dem Poss two-Fe

'tent or house with 2 central pillars'

b. i η akkoz-ast

Dem Poss four-Fe

'tent or house with 4 central pillars'

c. i η sasdis-ast

Dem Poss six-Fe

'tent or house with 6 central pillars'

(245) a. i η sammos-aet
Dem Poss five-Fe
'small tent with 5 side cords'

b. i η saedls-aet

Dem Poss six-Fe

'medium tent with 6 side cords'

c. i η aettdm-aet

Dem Poss eight-Fe

'large tent with 8 side cords'

(244) and (245) represent different ways of measuring the size of a tent;
(244) can also apply to small houses. The two systems make use of different
sets of numerals, since the central pillars (or tent posts) are placed in pairs,
while side cords that tie down a tent range in number from five to eight per
side (without necessary pairing with cords on the opposite side). Note that
(244.c) is identical in form to (245.b).

5.2 Possession and compounding

5.2.1 Ordinary nominal possessives

When the possessor is a noun (or NP), it follows the possessed noun and is
preceded by the Possessive preposition η (an if between C's). A wide range of
semantic connections are expressed, as with English of, from ownership of
property to various more abstract relations including logical subject or object
ofaVblN (246).