김지영 (고려대학교 언어정보연구소). 2008. Inverse vs. Passive in Ojibwa. Language Information. Volume 9. 23-43.
This paper looks at the choice between inverse/passive in Ojibwa, with special attention to the interpretation of the nominal phrases involved in these constructions. The inverse marking, which can optionally identify the referent of the argument, is thought to be chosen over the passive when the argument in question is specific. A closer look at narratives, however, reveals that the choice between the two options may have more to do with the speaker/narrator's intention.
This latter view of the inverse/passive alternation is further confirmed when we turn our attention to other third person markings (whether animate or inanimate): our scrutiny of the use of these affixes in running text will show that person marking is essentially unrelated to any specificity properties of the nominals associated with the person marker. Rather, the person morphemes appear to be mere place-holders, satisfying the argument structure of the verb.
Keywords: Ojibwa, inverse, passive, specificity, information structure, agreement