Proto-Algonkian Phonology and Morpho-Syntax

This article gives a brief overview of Proto-Algonkian phonotactics, morphophonology, and morphosyntax. Proto-Algonkian has an unusual history: it was worked out remarkably completely on the basis of preliminary investigations into only four of its daughter languages. The sound inventory of Proto-Algonkian proposed by Leonard Bloomfield in 1946 has been only slightly modified by the last half-century of historical Algonkian research. Bloomfield also identified nearly every significant grammatical category of Proto-Algonkian derivation and inflection. One crucial distinction (the absolute/objective contrast in transitive and certain transitive verb paradigms) has been added to the inventory since Bloomfield's day. In addition, many of the categories Bloomfield adumbrated have been established on sounder footing and in substantially greater detail.