OBVIATIVE Meaning and
Definition
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Obviative is an adjective used to describe a grammatical feature primarily found in some Algonquian languages. It refers to a form of third-person pronoun that denotes a specific entity which is not the main focus of attention or discussion in a sentence or discourse. In other words, obviative pronouns are used to distinguish between primary and secondary participants within a sentence.
The obviative pronoun is typically used to refer to a third-person participant who is less salient, less animate, or less important in the context compared to another third-person participant who is marked as proximate or animate. The obviative pronoun marks a contrast between two participants, implying that the animacy or relevance of the obviative participant is considered lower.
The purpose of obviative pronouns is to maintain clarity, coherence, and economy in communication. By using this grammatical device, Algonquian languages can indicate which participant is the main focus of attention and which is secondary. This feature helps speakers and listeners to understand the relationships between different participants within a sentence or discourse.
In summary, obviative refers to a grammatical feature in some Algonquian languages, involving the use of a specific third-person pronoun to indicate a secondary or less salient participant within a sentence or discourse. Its purpose is to provide clarity and distinguish between primary and secondary participants in communication.
Etymology of OBVIATIVE
The word "obviative" traces its origins back to the Latin word "obviare", which means "to meet" or "to encounter". This Latin verb is derived from the word "obvius", meaning "in the way" or "encountering". The English word "obvious" is also derived from this Latin root, but "obviative" specifically stems from the Latin word "obviatus", which is the past participle form of "obviare". In linguistic terminology, "obviative" is used to refer to a grammatical category used to specify a third person pronoun that is less prominent or less topical compared to other third person pronouns in a discourse.
