Adverbial and Argument-Doubling Clauses in Cree - MSpace

4.2 Obviation
Obviation is a system of third person ceference found in the Algonquian langwges. This
system rnakes a distinction between hvo third persons: the proximate and the obviative.
This contrast helps to reduce potential arnbiguities when more than one third person
appears in a narrative discourse. One third person, usually the most t~pical~~ or central, is
assigned to be the proximate, while the other(s) is(are) represented as the obviative. The
status of each third person is reflected both on no un^,^ unmarked for proximate and
marked for obviative, and in the verbal morphology. In the case of multiple obviatives,
context, stress and word order rnay be used to distinguish between them.
As shown in example (68). animate obviative nouns are marked with a suffix -a,
while the proximate is unmarked. This example also illustrates that obviation does not
indicate number. The obviative noun mvisisa 'child/children (obv)', may refer to either a
single child or a group of children.
(68) a. awâsis b. awâsisa
child -3 (prox)
child/children-3' (obv)
Unlike Swampy Cree, inanimate nouns in Plains Cree do not take any kind of
nominal inflection for the proximate or obviative distinction, but their status is reflected in
By topic. 1 refer to the idea of a 'notional subject.' The proximate is a uniquely identifid participant,
and should not be consuued with an alternative definition of topic in tenns of k m or familiar
information.
In PIains Cree, only animate nouns are markcd for obviation. In Swampy Cree. both animate and
inanimate nouns are thus d ed.