The Inclusive/Exclusive Distinction in Algonkian

Authors

  • Audrey Dawe-Sheppard Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Abstract

Micmac, unlike most of the other Algonkian languages, has two distinctive inflections for the 1st person plural forms : 1st person inclusive and 1st person exclusive. This paper will attempt to trace the origin of these inflections.

This inflectional distinction between the 1st person plural forms occurs in both the nominal and the verbal paradigms. Three other Algonkian languages besides Micmac (Cree, Arapaho and Menominee) maintain distinctive inclusive/exclusive inflections. Available data will be presented and there is good evidence that the distinction should be reconstructed for Proto-Algonkian.

Bloomfield, in his Proto-Algonkian reconstructions, overlooked this crucial point as he reconstructed the same inflectional ending for both of the 1st person plural forms. His reconstruction was based on the evidence displayed in Fox, Ménominee, Ojibwa and other Algonkian languages where the distinction between 1st person inclusive and 1st person exclusive is limited to the prefixes. Reconstructed forms and derivations will be proposed.

Published

1987-06-06

How to Cite

Dawe-Sheppard, A. (1987). The Inclusive/Exclusive Distinction in Algonkian. Papers from the Annual Meetings of the Atlantic Provinces Linguistic Association (PAMAPLA) ACTES DES COLLOQUES ANNUELS DE L’ASSOCIATION DE LINGUISTIQUE DES PROVINCES ATLANTIQUES (ACAALPA)., 10, 46–53. Retrieved from https://conferences.lib.unb.ca/index.php/pamapla/article/view/435

Conference Proceedings Volume

Volume 10, 1986

Section

Papers / Présentations