Dene Sųłiné Non-Segmental Morphology: Implications for Morphological Theory

Tufts, Kody

Dene Sųłiné Non-Segmental Morphology: Implications for Morphological Theory

dc.contributor.advisor	Pounder, Amanda
dc.contributor.advisor	Flynn, Darin Mathew
dc.contributor.author	Tufts, Kody
dc.contributor.committeemember	Pounder, Amanda
dc.contributor.committeemember	Flynn, Darin Mathew
dc.contributor.committeemember	Ritter, Elizabeth Ann
dc.contributor.committeemember	Stump, Gregory Thomas
dc.date	2023-11
dc.date.accessioned	2023-06-26T21:27:37Z
dc.date.available	2023-06-26T21:27:37Z
dc.date.issued	2023-06
dc.description.abstract	In this thesis, I undertake an analysis of the verbal morphology of Dene Sųłiné (Na-Dene, North-Central Canada) with a specific focus on two inflectional phenomena implementing non-segmental features of tone and nasality to mark distinctions of aspect and agreement. I critique existing accounts of these phenomena, which attempt to reduce both to affixal morphology, and investigate an alternative treatment as processes of non-concatenative morphology. Non-concatenative morphology holds theoretical interest as one of a variety of phenomena provided as evidence for an autonomous Morphology. In light of this interest, I develop and evaluate analyses of Dene Sųłiné’s non-segmental exponents, applying two theoretical frameworks exemplifying a major divide in thinking on morphological theory: Paradigm Function Morphology (PFM) and Distributed Morphology (DM). PFM recognizes an autonomous Morphology, an essential theoretical role for paradigms, and distinctly morphological Rules of Exponence. Conversely, DM posits a basic equivalence of syntax and morphology, recognizes no theoretical status for the paradigm and attempts to restrict morphological exponence to affixation. I test applications of PFM and DM to Dene Sųłiné’s non-segmental exponents, basing analyses on existing data and novel elicitations of Wollaston Lake Dene Sųłiné. Theoretical applications reveal characteristics of these non-segmental exponents challenging accounts in both frameworks. In particular, I identify a noteworthy “look-ahead” problem pertaining to the selection of the tonal exponent. This look-ahead problem seems best characterized as the sensitivity of a less-peripheral exponent to the phonology of a more-peripherally-applying exponent, a situation I argue both frameworks are challenged to address. Novel data from the Wollaston Lake dialect further complicates the account of this exponent’s selection, while also revealing a decreased role for affixation in the verbal morphology, suggesting an increase in the informational load assumed by non-concatenative processes. In addition to the challenges presented to the DM account by the tonal exponent’s formal quality, I present arguments against DM theorists’ claims that Dene surface morphotactics can be reasonably taken to derive from assumed universals of syntactic structure. I ultimately find that the formal and distributional characteristics of these exponents recommend a distinctly morphological account, not a reductionist, “syntacticocentric” one.
dc.identifier.citation	Tufts, K. (2023). Dene Sųłiné non-segmental morphology: implications for morphological theory (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/1880/116665
dc.identifier.uri	https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/41508
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher.faculty	Arts
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject	Dene Sųłiné
dc.subject	Morphology
dc.subject	Paradigm Function Morphology
dc.subject	Distributed Morphology
dc.subject	Non-concatenative morphology
dc.subject.classification	Linguistics
dc.title	Dene Sųłiné Non-Segmental Morphology: Implications for Morphological Theory
dc.type	master thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Linguistics
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Master of Arts (MA)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudent	I do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.