Austronesian Root Theory
An essay on the limits of morphology
Since the pioneering analyses of Renward Brandstetter (1860–1942) a quasi-morphological element called the ‘root’ has been recognized in Austronesian linguistics. This monograph confronts many of the methodological and substantive issues raised but never fully resolved by Brandstetter. In an effort to reassess the value of his work for contemporary linguistics the author examines Brandstetter’s methods and results, and applies a modified from of this approach to new material. The study establishes 230 roots based on more than 2,560 root tokens in some 117 languages. It is thus intended to serve as a rudimentary root dictionary and a basic handbook on the subject of the root for future scholars of Austronesian.
[Studies in Language Companion Series, 19] 1988. xi, 190 pp.
Publishing status: Available
© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Table of Contents
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Preface | p. vi
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Tables and Figures | p. x
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Abbreviations used in the text | p. xi
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Introduction | p. xii
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1. On “root theory” | p. 1
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2. The morpheme: two operational definitions | p. 3
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3. A synoptic history of Austronesian root theory | p. 6
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4. A critique of Brandstetter’s theory of the root | p. 10
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4.1. Control of chance
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4.2. Failure to recognize regular sound change
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4.3. Use of cognates to establish a root
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4.4. Overgeneralization
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4.5. Arbitrariness of “root variation”
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4.6. The non-argument for word-base formatives
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5. Austronesian root theory revisited | p. 15
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5.1. The empirical reality of the root
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5.2. The characteristics of the root
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5.3. The root in linguistic comparison: asset or liability?
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5.4. The psychological reality of the root
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5.5. The origin of roots
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6. Related matters | p. 55
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6.1. Initial consonant symbolism
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6.2. Medial consonant symbolism
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6.3. Final consonant symbolism
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6.4. Gestalt symbolism
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6.5. McCune's analysis of Bahasa Indonesia
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7. Implications for general linguistic theory | p. 65
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8. Appendices | p. 69
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8.1. Appendix 1
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8.2. Appendix 2
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8.3. Appendix 3
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Notes | p. 171
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Index | p. 184
Cited by (16)
Cited by 16 other publications
Lobel, Jason William
Masson, Michel
Gil, David
2020. Chapter 1. What does it mean to be an isolating language?. In Austronesian Undressed [Typological Studies in Language, 129], ► pp. 9 ff.
Mompean, Jose A., Amandine Fregier & Javier Valenzuela
Willemsen, Jeroen & Ehm Hjorth Miltersen
Kwon, Nahyun
2019. Chapter 4. Cross-linguistic variation in phonaesthemic canonicity, with special reference to Korean and English. In Ideophones, Mimetics and Expressives [Iconicity in Language and Literature, 16], ► pp. 77 ff.
Svantesson, Jan‐Olof
Sagart, Laurent
Kwon, Nahyun & Erich R. Round
LEE, AMY PEI-JUNG
Lee, Amy Pei-jung
2021. An overview of olfactory expressions in Formosan languages. In The Linguistics of Olfaction [Typological Studies in Language, 131], ► pp. 251 ff.
Klamer, Marian
McGregor, William B.
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Subjects
Main BIC Subject
CF: Linguistics
Main BISAC Subject
LAN009000: LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General