Preverbal directionals as markers of associated motion in Paluai (Austronesian; Oceanic)

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

    Abstract

    This chapter discusses the directional paradigm of Paluai, an Oceanic language spoken on Baluan Island in Manus Province, Papua New Guinea. It shows that these forms are used as preverbal particles not only to indicate direction with motion verbs, but also associated motion (AM) with non-motion verbs. This paper is the first to claim that an AM system based on deictic directionals can clearly be recognized as a category in an Oceanic language, thus setting a precedent for further study of this phenomenon in this particular subgroup, and perhaps also in the Austronesian language family more generally. Secondly, a systematic comparison is made between directionals used either preceding or following the main verb, and it is argued that only the former are attested as markers of AM. It turns out that iconicity is a strong guiding principle in the usage of directionals in Paluai.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAssociated Motion
    Editors Antoine Guillaume and Harold Koch
    Place of PublicationBerlin
    PublisherDe Gruyter Mouton
    Pages385-416
    Edition1st
    ISBN (Print)978-3-11-069200-6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2021

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