obviation in Siouan languages

[Rankin, Robert L]

As Rory points out, Dhegiha languages have something very similar distinguishing primary from non-primary actors.  Ardis's dissertation was at least partly on this distinction in Omaha.  
 
I have toyed with the idea of trying to redefine the "switch-reference" distinction in those Siouan languages that have it as an obviation distinction.  Such redefinition clearly works in Muskogean, where it is the only way to tie "S-R" and argument marking particles together without a hopelessly complex appeal to homophony, but I haven't really gotten down to the business of trying to demonstrate it in Siouan.  Clearly the more inclusive concept of "referent tracking" operates in Siouan grammars, though it differs from language to language.  If I had to guess, I'd say it is historically primary in Algonquian but secondary in Siouan.
 
What were the papers you're referring to on Algonquian?
 
Bob

________________________________

From: owner-siouan at lists.colorado.edu on behalf of Marino
Sent: Thu 5/31/2007 12:20 AM
To: siouan at lists.colorado.edu
Subject: obviation in Siouan languages



There were two excellent papers on obviation in Cree at the CLA
meetings.  One of the presenters asked me if there is obviation in any of
the Siouan languages.  I have a vague memory that this has come up before,
but I can't find time to troll through the archives.  Any suggestions?

Best
Mary Marino