Interposition Phenomenon in Postpositions Used With Words in the Ablative Case: A Structural-semantic Analysis
Tarana Naghiyeva
Abstract. This article examines interposition between postpositions used with the ablative case in Azerbaijani from a structural-semantic perspective. Traditionally, postpositions are held to form a syntactically indivisible unit with the word they govern, admitting no intervening element. The study identifies examples that deviate from this rule in spoken language, classifies their structural characteristics, and explores the semantic basis of the phenomenon. The material consists of examples from natural spoken language. Elements occurring between ablative-case forms and the postpositions əvvəl ("before"), sonra ("after") and qabaq ("before") were classified structurally. The analysis shows that conjunctions, particles, adverbs of degree and time, numeral-noun combinations denoting exact or approximate time, and complex constructions can all occur in this position. Particularly with əvvəl and sonra, elements specifying temporal distance appear to condition interposition semantically. The novelty of the study lies in the systematic identification and structural-semantic classification of this phenomenon.
Keywords: postposition, ablative case, interposition, postpositional construction, temporal postpositions, structural-semantic analysis