Austronesian Root Theory
An essay on the limits of morphology
Published on 1. January 1988
Book
Hardback
190 pages
978-90-272-3020-1 (ISBN)
Description
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.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 245 mm
Width: 164 mm
Weight
380 gr
ISBN-13
978-90-272-3020-1 (9789027230201)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/1988
1st Edition
John Benjamins Publishing Company
€130.99
Available for download
Content
1. Preface; 2. Tables and Figures; 3. Abbreviations used in the text; 4. Introduction; 5. 1. On "root theory"; 6. 2. The morpheme: two operational definitions; 7. 3. A synoptic history of Austronesian root theory; 8. 4. A critique of Brandstetter's theory of the root; 9. 4.1. Control of chance; 10. 4.2. Failure to recognize regular sound change; 11. 4.3. Use of cognates to establish a root; 12. 4.4. Overgeneralization; 13. 4.5. Arbitrariness of "root variation"; 14. 4.6. The non-argument for word-base formatives; 15. 5. Austronesian root theory revisited; 16. 5.1. The empirical reality of the root; 17. 5.2. The characteristics of the root; 18. 5.3. The root in linguistic comparison: asset or liability?; 19. 5.4. The psychological reality of the root; 20. 5.5. The origin of roots; 21. 6. Related matters; 22. 6.1. Initial consonant symbolism; 23. 6.2. Medial consonant symbolism; 24. 6.3. Final consonant symbolism; 25. 6.4. Gestalt symbolism; 26. 6.5. McCune's analysis of Bahasa Indonesia; 27. 7. Implications for general linguistic theory; 28. 8. Appendices; 29. 8.1. Appendix 1; 30. 8.2. Appendix 2; 31. 8.3. Appendix 3; 32. Notes; 33. References; 34. Index