A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE ...

A snag that this characterization runs into (i.e. that conjunct order function as dependent
clauses), however, is the observation made by Rhodes for a related dialect of Ojibwe,
OTTAWA (or ODAAWAA), that plain conjunct verbs may be used as independent clauses
in certain contexts (Rhodes 1979:103, Rhodes 2006:6). These contexts include the use of
plain conjunct verbs as independent verbs when those verbs are marking THEMATIC
content (i.e. content which moves the plot forward) within a text, in marking what he
calls “thematic futures”, or in the consequent of ‘if’ constructions (Rhodes 1979:112-
113). An example of the use of plain conjunct verbs as independent, thematic verbs is
given below.
(131) Plain conjunct as independent verbs (example from Rhodes 1979:110-111)
a) Gii-pagdosed iidig gaa-dbikak.
that s/he walked/CONJ must have after it got dark
b) Mkoon iidig gaa-zhi-nkweshkwaad.
bear must have IC.and so met him/her/CONJ
c) “Aabii-sh ezhaayan?” wdigoon-sh ge.
where are you going s/he tells him/her also
d) “Ann Arbor,” odinaan ge.
Ann Arbor s/he tells him/her also
e) “Gga-ni-waawiidsemi,” kido giiwenh wa mko.
we will walk together s/he says apparently this bear
f) Bbaamsewaad giiwenh nshaawi-dbik.
that they walk around/CONJ apparently through the night
a) ‘After it had gotten dark, he set out walking.
b) That’s how he came to meet this bear.
c) “Where ya headed?” the bear asked him.
d) “Ann Arbor,” he replied.
e) “Let’s walk together,” the bear suggested.
f) So they walked around through the night.’
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