The fundamentals of Micmac word formation

Abstract

Leonard Bloomfield's 1946 sketch Algonquian laid the ground work for current discussions in Algonkian word formation. Though research has been done on word formation in Central Algonkian languages (Bloomfield 1958, 1962), little has been done on word formation in Micmac, an Eastern Algonkian language. -- This thesis presents an overview of the fundamentals of Micmac word formation. The grammaticalization of independent and dependent lexemes as preverb, root, medial and final formatives is discussed. The ability for the same lexeme to be grammatically recategorized is also addressed. The role of the formatives - preverb, root, medial and final - is examined and a set of Micmac word formation patterns or strategies outlined. -- A full set of appendices is included in the thesis. The appendices give summary listings of the Micmac preverbs, roots, medials and finals identified during the study, as well as the Micmac words in which these formatives where found.