Obviative

In linguistics, the obviative (often abbreviated OBV) is a grammatical case or, more broadly, a grammatical category indicating that a noun phrase is less salient or less important within a discourse than another, more prominent noun phrase. The more prominent noun phrase is typically marked with a proximal or direct case, often referred to as the proximate. The obviative is found in Algonquian languages, such as Ojibwe, Cree, and Blackfoot.

The primary function of the obviative is to distinguish between two or more third-person referents within a clause or discourse, preventing ambiguity as to which entity is being discussed or acted upon. This is particularly important in languages with limited use of explicit pronouns. The obviative marking helps to track participants and relationships within a narrative or conversation.

The obviative is not simply a marker of "otherness" or distance. Its function is more nuanced and depends on the context. Factors such as animacy, agency, topicality, and proximity in the narrative play a role in determining which noun phrase is marked proximate and which is marked obviative. Generally, the proximate referent is the one that is more active, central to the current topic, or more recently introduced.

The morphological marking of the obviative varies depending on the specific Algonquian language. It can be indicated by suffixes, prefixes, or other grammatical markers. The obviative form often differs depending on whether the noun is animate or inanimate, reflecting the Algonquian emphasis on animacy hierarchies.