Date Approved

2011

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department or School

English Language and Literature

Committee Member

Anthony Aristar, PhD, Chair

Committee Member

Verónica Grondona, PhD

Committee Member

Sarah Thomason, PhD (University of Michigan)

Abstract

This work internally reconstructs the case system of Pre-Chukotko-Kamchatkan from the comparative reconstruction of Proto-Chukotko-Kamchatkan. Using the comparative and etymological dictionaries by Fortescue (2005), Mudrak (2000), and Zhukova & Kurebito (2004), I demonstrate that in many instances, groups of cases in Proto-Chukotko-Kamchatkan have developed from a single case. I outline the paths of grammaticalization that led to the expanded case system in Proto-Chukotko- Kamchatkan, and I use semantic typology to support the plausibility of these developments. Examples of similar phenomena in other language families are used for comparison as well. I conclude that six grammatical cases (and a more regular case system) can be reconstructed in Pre-Chukotko-Kamchatkan, which has evolved and expanded into the comparatively reconstructed system of eleven cases in Proto- Chukotko-Kamchatkan presented in Fortescue (2005).

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