Query: Possessor Raising

[SHEA KATHLEEN DORETTE]

Yes, the witta is optional, so that you can get "s^inuda iN-t?e" in Ponca.

Kathy Shea

On Fri, 19 May 2000, R. Rankin wrote:

> > In answer to Bob's query, I asked Parrish Williams (a native speaker of
> > Ponca) today for a translation for 'My dog died' in Ponca and got "s^inuda
> > witta t?e."  When I asked him for something like 'The/my dog died on me,'
> > I got "s^inuda (witta) iN-t?e."  When I asked him outright if one could
> > say, "s^inuda aN-t?e," reading him the corresponding Quapaw sentence Bob
> > had recorded, or even "s^inuda witta aN-t?e," I got a definite no from
> > him. This confirms John's form for Omaha-Ponca.
>
> The question in Omaha and Ponca would be whether you could get "Shinuda iNt?e" by
> itself.  aN+ki (dative/benefactive) collapses to iN- in Ponca but aN- in Quapaw.
> There's a "ki" hidden in there.  You report Shinuda (witta) iNt?e.  does that mean
> the witta is optional?  That's my basic question.
>
> Bob
>