Switch-reference and the Indentification of Small Pro in Hidatsa

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the Hidatsa switch-reference (SR) system and determine the relationship it has with the null category pro. I focus on two morphemes -nk (SS) and -nuk (DS) whose roles have been misidentified (Robinett 1955, Jones 1984). 1 show that the morphemes are better analyzed as SR markers. This analysis reveals a system where the morphemes function as coordinating conjunctions that also contain the properties of a SR system. In this role, they act as lexical heads of coordinator phrases. Hidatsa often omits all agreement marker, leaving only the predication and the SR markers. I argue these SR markers are sufficient to identify pro. This paper demonstrates an additional system (the SR system) that have not been examined before with respect to the role it plays in recovering information to identify null categories. This paper also shows that the SR morphemes are lexical coordinators that serve to identity pro under government.