Subject domain restriction and reference-tracking

Abstract

This paper addresses a question: How does reference-tracking work with non-referential items? Specifically, it explores switch-reference, which typically tracks subjects, in the endangered Kiowa language (of Oklahoma). In it, I propose that switch-reference does not track reference of subjects at all; instead, it tracks the domain restricting resource situation of the subject. This proposal explains a wide variety of switch-reference facts in Kiowa, and the paper brings to light new data that elucidates our understanding of this reference-tracking phenomenon, and perhaps others like it.