LINGUIST List 13.3017

Wed Nov 20 2002

Books: Typology: Kikusawa

Editor for this issue: Marisa Ferrara <marisalinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. Malcolm.Ross, Proto Central Pacific Ergativity: Kikusawa

Series Title: PL 520
			
Publication Year: 2002
Publisher: Pacific Linguistics
 http://pacling.anu.edu.au/
			
Author: Ritsuko Kikusawa 

Hardback: ISBN: 0858834383, Pages: xxii + 213, Price: Australia
	 A$53.90 International A$49.00

Abstract:
			
The main objective of this study is to determine the actancy system
(ergativity or accusativity) of Proto Central Pacific, and to
determine how this system developed in its daughter languages, Fijian
and Rotuman, which are accusative, as well as in the Polynesian
languages, some of which are ergative. It is shown that an ergative
system has to be reconstructed for Proto Central Pacific, based on the
presence of two sets of clitic pronouns (Genitive and Nominative) used
for the core arguments of transitive constructions. A set of
independent pronouns is also reconstructed. These pronominal forms
are shown to be reflexes of Proto Malayo-Polynesian reconstructions.
The process by which the ergative parent language changed into some of
its accusative daughter languages is illustrated.

The following points in this work may be of particular interest:
1) a description of clear cases where the actancy systems change from
 ergative to accusative;
2) an illustration of how syntactic, phonological, morphological,
 and/or lexical changes are synthesised;
3) typological descriptions of three Central Pacific languages,
 namely Rotuman, Fijian, and Tongan, applying Lexicase Dependency
 Grammar;
4) a modification to the currently accepted subgrouping hypothesis
 for the Central Pacific group.

Lingfield(s): Typology
			 
Language Family(ies): East Fijian-Polynesian ,
		 Polynesian ,
			Rotuman
 ,
Written In: English (Language Code: ENG)