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Obviation in two Innu-aimun âtanukana

Posted on:2003-02-06Degree:M.AType:Thesis
University:Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada)Candidate:Hasler, Laurel AnneFull Text:PDF
GTID:2462390011990052Subject:Linguistics
Abstract/Summary:
This thesis analyzes how obviation, a grammatical structure found in Algonquian languages, is used in two Innu-aimun âtanukana (myth-legends) told in Sheshatshiu, Labrador. Specifically, I explore the way in which obviation patterns in the two stories, and how the storyteller makes the choice of whether to assign each particular third-person referent proximate or obviative status.;In the study, I identify seven semantic and syntactic environments in the narratives in which the storyteller generally assigns third-person referents proximate status. My study also points to exceptions to these apparent "rules" of proximate assignment where the storyteller will give a third person an unexpected status in order to reflect some meaning at the level of discourse, for example foreshadowing an event, placing focus on a particular character, or attributing the quality of agentivity to a particular character.
Keywords/Search Tags:Obviation
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