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Semantic and pragmatic functions in Plains Cree syntax
Wolvengrey, A.E.
Publication date
2011
Link to publication
Citation for published version (APA):
Wolvengrey, A. E. (2011). Semantic and pragmatic functions in Plains Cree syntax. LOT.
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Summary
This dissertation explores the morphosyntax of the Plains dialect of Cree, an Algonquian First Nations language of Canada, and the ways in which Semantic, Pragmatic and Syntactic Functions are (or are not) instantiated. The language-specific forms of the two main morphosyntactic components of language, word order and case-marking, are discussed in this functional approach. This is of particular interest to syntactic theory, given the common characterization of Cree, and Algonquian languages in general, as having free word order and lacking case-marking altogether. In contrast to this “traditional” view, both case-marking (or “role-indexing”) and word order are shown to serve very important functions in Cree syntax, even if not occurring in a form more familiar to those whose primary reference is the Indo-European language family.
Following an introduction in chapter one of the salient syntactic points and of Cree itself, Part I focusses on the verbal cross-reference system of Algonquian languages and particularly the form and function of the Direct-Inverse system of alignment. Though this system has been described in the past, the particular functional account offered here attempts to explain the Inverse system, and illustrate how the interaction between semantic and pragmatic notions completely obviate the need for a third level of syntactic functions, a conclusion supported in chapters two and three. Through a complex verbal, rather than nominal, marking of person, number, and role, itself involving semantic functions, animacy and prototypical topicality, the Direct-Inverse system is characterized as the Algonquian functional equivalent of a case-marking system. As in many languages which display strong case-marking features, the Direct-Inverse system in Cree allows for more apparent freedom of constituent order, as addressed in the latter half of this work. In addition to the survey of the Direct-Inverse system, chapter two also illustrates the overriding importance of the animacy distinction within Plains Cree grammar and reanalyzes the entire verbal system within its light.
Cross-linguistically, word order is usually couched in terms of subject and object placement, but without recourse to such notions, the actual determinants of Plains Cree word order are considerably more complex. After introducing some of this complexity, Part II provides a variety of semantic, syntactic and pragmatic constraints on Cree word order while building a number of basic word order templates for clausal and extra-clausal constituents. As might be expected in a so-called “free word order”
432 Summary language, the Pragmatic Functions of Topic, Focus and Contrast, as well as a variety of extra-clausal functions, prove particularly important in understanding Plains Cree word order placement.
Chapter four both illustrates Plains Cree word order variability and begins to find constraints to that variability within the semantic interpretation of potentially ambiguous clausal participants. This is facilitated by the development of a Functional (Discourse) Grammar word order template, and a survey of postverbal constituents. Though the syntactic functions of subject and object play no necessary role in Plains Cree syntax, chapter five illustrates some salient syntactic constraints on word order. These include the placement of an oblique constituent immediately preceding the verb in clause-medial position (PM), the extra-clausal position of coordinators and subordinators, and the potential importance of clause-second position (P2). Chapter six continues this discussion by illustrating the interaction of an optional P2 with the vital importance of clause-initial position (PI). PI can be occupied by a variety of pragmatically-motivated constituents, including Focal elements in both interrogative and cleft-focus constructions, and Topics of various kinds, including both participants and temporal settings. In both instances, it is the pragmatic function Contrast which often contributes to clause-initial placement. Pragmatic functions, including Orientation (whether topics or temporal and locative settings) and Clarification, as well as Vocative, also prove important in the survey of extra-clausal constituents and their relative order, pre- and post-clausally. The summary of both clausal and extra-clausal word order templates built throughout Part II then concludes chapter six before overall conclusions and suggestions for further research are offered in chapter seven.
