LINGUIST List 12.3029

Tue Dec 4 2001

Books: Dictionary

Editor for this issue: Richard John Harvey <richardlinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. Malcolm Ross, Dictionary: The Pidgin of the Solomon Islands

Pijin: A dictionary of the pidgin of the Solomon Islands Un
dictionnaire du pidgin des Iles Salomon
compiled by Christine Jourdan

Prices are in Australian dollars (one Australian dollar is
currently equivalent to about US$ 0,52).

_______________________________________________________________

Pijin: A dictionary of the pidgin of the Solomon Islands --
Un dictionnaire du pidgin des Iles Salomon

Jourdan, Christine

Pijin is the youngest of the languages of the Solomon Islands, yet it
is the most important in terms of number of speakers and the role it
plays in the life of the archipelago. It is known in all parts of the
country, and used widely everywhere for intergroup communication,
particularly in urban centres. But if Pijin is widely spoken, it is
not widely written. Despite the efforts of the Literacy Association
of the Solomon Islands (LASI) and the Solomon Islands Christian
Association (SICA) through the works of SITAG, the language is not a
popular medium of written communication. There are many reasons for
this situation: Pijin lacks institutional support from government
agencies and it lacks cultural legitimacy. Moreover, schooling at
advanced levels is done in English. It is hoped that this dictionary
will give a higher profile to Pijin and will help bring about changes
in people's attitude towards this language. This cultural dictionary
of Pijin is aimed at three different publics: Solomon Islanders who
wish to write in Pijin and need to check the spelling of words;
visitors to the country who wish to learn Pijin or to know more about
it; and scholars who seek to obtain precise and easily accessible
linguistic information on the language. Rich in examples, drawings,
historical and ethnographic documentation, the dictionary gives access
to the Solomon Islands as well as to Pijin. Each of the three
intended audiences may refer to the Pijin dictionary to obtain
information on the history of the language, its cultural anchorage,
the history, customary ways and geography of the archipelago, and
aspects of flora, fauna and food. AUS $76.45 International $6.50

_______________________________________________________________

Orders may be placed by mail, e-mail or telephone with:

Publishing, Imaging and Cartographic Services (PICS)
Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies The Australian
National University Canberra ACT 0200 Australia Australia
Tel: +61 (0)2 6125 3269 Fax: +61 (0)2 6125 9975

Jo.Bushbyanu.edu.au

Credit card orders are accepted.

For our catalogue and other materials, see:

http://pacling.anu.edu.au (under construction)

_______________________________________________________________

Other enquiries (but not orders) should go to:

The Publications Administrator Pacific Linguistics Research
School of Pacific and Asian Studies The Australian National
University Canberra ACT 0200 Australia

Tel: +61 (0)2 6125 2742 Fax: +61 (0)2 6125 4896

jmanleycoombs.anu.edu.au
 
_____________________________________
Dr Malcolm D. Ross
Senior Fellow
Department of Linguistics
Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
Australian National University
CANBERRA ACT 0200