A Functional Discourse Grammar account of voice in Plains Algonquian Languages
-
Avelino Corral Esteban
Abstract
Algonquian languages have always attracted considerable interest due to their rich and complex grammar, and this paper offers an account of voice in Plains Algonquian languages (USA) within the theoretical framework of Functional Discourse Grammar (Hengeveld 2004; Hengeveld and Mackenzie 2006, 2008). One of the main reasons why the study of this grammatical phenomenon seems so interesting is because it concerns every grammatical level (especially, the morphosyntactic, semantic, and pragmatic levels). Thus, the main purpose of the paper is, firstly, to explore the correlation between the pragmatic, semantic, and syntactic properties of a passive-style construction in these Algonquian languages; secondly, I analyse how the Functional Discourse Grammar model represents this interaction; and thirdly, I examine the possible mismatches that arise from the correspondence between levels. Finally, the findings will serve to shed light on whether the Algonquian direct / inverse distinction should be treated in the same manner as the active / passive voice alternation. This theory has been chosen because it is strongly typologically-oriented, concerns both sentence grammar and discourse structure, and, consequently, seems ideally suited to the study of voice in Plains Algonquian languages.
Abstract
Algonquian languages have always attracted considerable interest due to their rich and complex grammar, and this paper offers an account of voice in Plains Algonquian languages (USA) within the theoretical framework of Functional Discourse Grammar (Hengeveld 2004; Hengeveld and Mackenzie 2006, 2008). One of the main reasons why the study of this grammatical phenomenon seems so interesting is because it concerns every grammatical level (especially, the morphosyntactic, semantic, and pragmatic levels). Thus, the main purpose of the paper is, firstly, to explore the correlation between the pragmatic, semantic, and syntactic properties of a passive-style construction in these Algonquian languages; secondly, I analyse how the Functional Discourse Grammar model represents this interaction; and thirdly, I examine the possible mismatches that arise from the correspondence between levels. Finally, the findings will serve to shed light on whether the Algonquian direct / inverse distinction should be treated in the same manner as the active / passive voice alternation. This theory has been chosen because it is strongly typologically-oriented, concerns both sentence grammar and discourse structure, and, consequently, seems ideally suited to the study of voice in Plains Algonquian languages.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Abbreviations VII
- Functional Discourse Grammar: Blueprint and interfaces 1
- Interfaces, mismatches, and the architecture of Functional Discourse Grammar 15
- Grammar in 5D: The interface design of a mismatching grammar 59
- Phonology and phonetics in Functional Discourse Grammar: Interfaces, mismatches, and the direction of processing 101
- Noun incorporation in Functional Discourse Grammar 127
- A Functional Discourse Grammar typology of reflexives, with some notes on reciprocals 175
- Serial verb constructions, interface mismatches and Functional Discourse Grammar 229
- A Functional Discourse Grammar account of voice in Plains Algonquian Languages 259
- The English ‘Time-measurement construction’ as a case of gradience: A Functional Discourse Grammar approach 303
- Inter-level mismatches in English coordinated partitives 337
- A Functional Discourse Grammar account of postnominal modification in English 369
- Meaning-to-form mismatches in Functional Discourse Grammar and Systemic Functional Grammar: A case study of the English discourse connective however 399
- Subject Index 433
- Name Index 437
- Language Index 445
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Abbreviations VII
- Functional Discourse Grammar: Blueprint and interfaces 1
- Interfaces, mismatches, and the architecture of Functional Discourse Grammar 15
- Grammar in 5D: The interface design of a mismatching grammar 59
- Phonology and phonetics in Functional Discourse Grammar: Interfaces, mismatches, and the direction of processing 101
- Noun incorporation in Functional Discourse Grammar 127
- A Functional Discourse Grammar typology of reflexives, with some notes on reciprocals 175
- Serial verb constructions, interface mismatches and Functional Discourse Grammar 229
- A Functional Discourse Grammar account of voice in Plains Algonquian Languages 259
- The English ‘Time-measurement construction’ as a case of gradience: A Functional Discourse Grammar approach 303
- Inter-level mismatches in English coordinated partitives 337
- A Functional Discourse Grammar account of postnominal modification in English 369
- Meaning-to-form mismatches in Functional Discourse Grammar and Systemic Functional Grammar: A case study of the English discourse connective however 399
- Subject Index 433
- Name Index 437
- Language Index 445
