Proto-algic III: Pronouns

Abstract

The Proto-Algic demonstrative roots *y-) and locatives (*m-, *n-) had 3 inflectional endings, referring to spacial or temporal distributions of entities, and which evolve into the gender systems of Yurok and Algonquian. It had two discourse pronouns: *k- 'previously mentioned', and *t- 'known but not previously mentioned'. *k- is semantically associated with past time; *t- develops into Algonquian future markers. The Algonquian verbs of 'being (somewhere)' also all come from among these deictics. Proto-Algic also had a relative pronoun (*?-), instrumental in the development of some types of changed conjunct, and an associative deictic (*er- ‘like another'), which produces a marker of obviation.

Keywords

• Algonquian languages-- Syntax, Historical
• Algonquian languages-- Demonstratives