Question re: Omaha-Ponca

[Rory Larson]

Or another way of describing it would be “inanimate sitting”, i.e. things that, because of their relatively equidimensional configuration, can neither “stand” nor “lie”.  It doesn’t have to be roundish, as we would think of globular, but can probably be angular or even have pointy projections as well.  I think the basic idea is that, whether 3-dimensional or 2-dimensional, all dimensions under consideration are comparable.

Rory


From: Siouan Linguistics [mailto:SIOUAN at listserv.unl.edu] On Behalf Of Rory Larson
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 3:30 PM
To: SIOUAN at LISTSERV.UNL.EDU
Subject: Re: Question re: Omaha-Ponca

Hi Dave,

Generally, ðą is used for globular, inanimate things.  Body parts are inanimate.  Heads, eyes, eggs, balls, etc. would be classed as ðą.  It can also be used for areas of limited extent, e.g. a field or yard.  It seems to contrast with things that are standing or lying linear, or specific points, or unbounded extent.  Ardis can probably give you more detail.

Best,
Rory


From: Siouan Linguistics [mailto:SIOUAN at listserv.unl.edu] On Behalf Of David Kaufman
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 3:21 PM
To: SIOUAN at LISTSERV.UNL.EDU<mailto:SIOUAN at LISTSERV.UNL.EDU>
Subject: Question re: Omaha-Ponca

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me how the article ðą is actually used in OP.  According to the Omaha texts, it seems to be used often after body parts, but I notice it is also used for other non-body part nouns as well, which JOD sometimes glosses as 'object'.  I'm particularly curious because Biloxi sometimes uses the suffix -yą (which would correlate with ðą) after some body part terms as well. I don't see anything similar being used in Kaw or Osage, unless I'm missing something .

Thanks.

Dave

David Kaufman
Linguistic Anthropology PhD candidate, University of Kansas
Director, Kaw Nation Language Program
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