The Nalik Language of New Ireland, Papua New GuineaPeter Lang, 1998 - 246 pages The first grammar of the Austronesian language, coming at a time when most of the island's Nalik speakers are increasingly using English and Tok Pisin. Rejects the idea of an artificial standard form of the language and describes the grammatical variation caused by the highly fluid linguistic ecology. Sets out some of the most salient features in the morphology and syntax, and briefly introduces the society in which it is spoken, its geographic and cultural settings, and links to other languages. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Verbs | 29 |
Preverbal elements in the verbal complex | 45 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
2NPL adjectival verb advancement adverbs alienable appear Beaumont become beginning causative clause common complement construction deleted described direct object discussed dual durative marker East Coast dialect elements English equivalent example expressions fact Figure final fish focus following sentence four fronted give grammatical relation head noun immediately inalienable possessives incorporated indicates indirect initial innovation intransitive Ireland Kara languages Linguistics loan LOC-ART locative marked meaning modifying modifying noun phrase naan Nalik names negative nominal nonsingular Northern noun phrase Oceanic older overt pa(n passive paucal plural position possible preceded prepositional phrase present pronouns Proto recorded require Ross separate serial verb shown shows si(n speakers subject marker suffix temporal term third person Tok Pisin traditional transitive verbs ungrammatical usually vaal variation verbal complex village vowel woman