Possessive Constructions in Egyptian and Coptic

In this paper, the distribution of Coptic possessive constructions is defined in terms of syntactic constraints: the construction involving the linking element (N) over bar- requires the obligatory (and simple) definiteness of the possessed noun as well as the strict adjacency of regens and rectum. In relation to a comparison made between this Coptic possessive pattern and the so-called construct state phenomenon, a historical overview of the Egyptian language is given to explore the possible reconstruction of a true construct state formation in the earlier language stages.