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Article published In: Studies in Language
Vol. 45:4 (2021) ► pp.841–865

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Plains Cree animacy–inanimacy hierarchy

Old facts and new insights

 | First Nations University of Canada
 | First Nations University of Canada
Published online: 17 November 2020
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https://doi.org/10.1075/sl.20023.col
Abstract
Like all Algonquian languages, Cree distributes its stock of nouns over two classes: animate and inanimate. While this distinction is firmly based on different agreement rules, and is to a large extent (but not completely) backed up by semantic differences, Cree nouns can also be put on a 4-level hierarchy scale, depending on their morphological valence with regard to whether or not they allow markers for the plural, obviative, vocative/honorific, absentative or which one of the two types of locatives. In addition, in a few recorded cases an inanimate noun may be reclassified, or “promoted”, as an animate noun, but rarely vice versa. Although this paper concentrates on Plains Cree, and examples are from that dialect unless otherwise noted, some observations are also made on (in)animacy in East Cree and in a wider Algonquian context.
Article outline
  • 1.Cree animacy and inanimacy: Semantic aspects
  • 2.Gender doublets and gender switches
  • 3.Agreement rules and gender reclassification
  • 4.Cree nominal suffix distribution and animacy hierarchy
    • 4.1Plural and obviative suffixes
    • 4.2Vocative/honorific and absentative
    • 4.3Locative and possessive suffixes
    • 4.4Cree animacy-inanimacy hierarchy
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
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