A Grammar Sketch of Eastern Mono (Norris)
Evan J. Norris's A grammar sketch and comparative study of Eastern Mono is a doctoral dissertation (UC San Diego, 1986) and the most thorough modern linguistic description of Owens Valley Paiute. It lays out the sound system, word structure, and sentence patterns of the language, and compares Eastern Mono with its relatives in the Numic branch of Uto-Aztecan.
For the grammar covered in this wiki, Norris is a key reference: the technical source behind much of how Verbs, Nouns, Pronouns, and Possession are described here. It is written for linguists, so it is denser than this wiki, but it is a great resource for those seeking a deeper understanding.
The speakers behind it
This grammar exists thanks to the contributions of speakers who sat with Norris and worked through the language with him. The principal speaker was Ida Stewart of Big Pine, whose data anchors the description throughout.
Several other speakers contributed data and insight that, in Norris's words, "aided greatly in unraveling the intricacies of Eastern Mono grammar":
- Aileen Bacock (Big Pine)
- Margaret Baty (Bishop)
- Helen McGee (Bishop)
- Hazel McLane (Big Pine)
- Alice Piper
- Minnie Williams (Benton)
Citation: Norris, Evan J. 1986. A grammar sketch and comparative study of Eastern Mono. San Diego: University of California, San Diego dissertation.