Ritter, D. ElizabethBliss, Heather2017-12-182017-12-182005http://hdl.handle.net/1880/103497Bibliography: p. 111-118Obviation and direct/inverse in the Algonquian languages are typically assumed to work together as a single concerted system, both marking the same type of discourse prominence. This thesis challenges this assumption through an investigation of the direct/inverse system of Blackfoot, a Plains Algonquian language spoken in Southern Alberta and Northwestern Montana. I argue that sentience, or real-world animacy, is the determinant factor in Blackfoot's direct/inverse, and that obviation is tangential to this system. The fundamental role of sentience in Blackfoot's direct/inverse is explored from both a syntactic and a pragmatic perspective. A syntactic treatment is proposed in which a feature [Sentient] is checked in a functional projection that determines direct and inverse marking. With respect to its pragmatic content, I argue that this functional projection is a Point-of-View Phrase, and that direct/inverse m Blackfoot grammaticalizes the pragmatic notion of point-of-view.viii, 119 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.engUniversity 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.master thesis10.11575/PRISM/2496