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preceding clause sang spiritual songs there. In short, this break in eventline allows the
speaker to specify the number of songs that the old man sang.
In sum, it is these breaks in flow that shows the contrastive feature of idash in
discourse. It is not the individual propositions which are contrasted, but the contrast in
discourse action.
3.1.2.1.2 Backgrounding and foregrounding
While idash may break the flow of prior discourse in order to introduce a new topic
or create a digression, idash may also be used to show a contrast between backgrounded
and foregrounded content. This sort of contrasting function usually occurs on a more
local level, usually within sub-topics, rather than in major transitions from topic to topic.
Many times, these contrasts are part of larger discourse units, i.e. in the formation of
major background themes.
(58) background vs. foreground (Kegg 1991:152-153)
a) Mii dash ayi’ii misko-waabowayaan iko – gii-izhi-wiindewan
DP but whatchamacallit red blanket used to it was called thus
mewinzha gichi-waabowayaanan – mii i’iw egwazhed.
long ago big blankets it is that what he wore
b) Miinawaa gaawiin wiikaa gii-kiichiwakwaanesiin.
and not ever he did not take his hat off
background
c) Gii-waabizhagindibe.
he was bald
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