Contributions to the Synchrony and Diachrony of Austronesian Languages
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Beiträge zur Synchronie und Diachronie austronesischer Sprachen
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Original source:
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W. W. Schumacher
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Beiträge zur Synchronie und Diachronie austronesischer Sprachen
Year: 1966 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5222
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
1. Introduction
The text comprises various linguistic studies concerning Austronesian languages, with a particular emphasis on the comparative analysis of their phonological and grammatical features. Written by W. W. Schuhmacher, the work explores intricate concepts such as hidden categories in language systems, analogical formations in numeral expressions, and the reconstruction of proto-Austronesian phonemes. This scholarly work contributes to the comprehensive understanding of Austronesian linguistics and its historical development.
2. Hidden Categories in Language
One notable concept introduced by Schuhmacher is the idea of "hidden categories" within the grammatical structure of languages in the Southeast Asian region. These hidden categories, or "kryptotypen," refer to classifications that emerge in specific contexts, such as the use of numerative classifiers that accompany nouns when combined with numbers. Schuhmacher differentiates these from "visible categories" (or "phänotypen"), which maintain their formal markers across various contexts. This theory underlines the complexity of categorization within language, extending Benjamin Lee Whorf's ideas about linguistic relativity and the implications of those classifications on communication.
3. Analogy and Numerals in Austronesian Languages
Schuhmacher discusses the phenomenon of analogical formation within the semantic field of numerals in Austronesian languages. An example provided is the Fijian word for 'one,' which appears to be derived from the form for 'two,' suggesting that such irregular constructs result from analogical processes within the language family. This examination highlights how numeral systems may not only reflect a language's structure but also its historical relationships, revealing patterns of migration and linguistic evolution.
4. Reconstruction of Proto-Austronesian Phonemes
Another significant element of Schuhmacher's work is the reconstruction of the proto-Austronesian consonant inventory, wherein he proposes the inclusion of a new phoneme *s. Drawing from Dempwolff's earlier research, Schuhmacher outlines how distinct rules of phonological development influence the realization of this phoneme across different languages. His analysis aims to refine previous phonemic inventories and demonstrates the complexity of phonological shifts within Austronesian languages, suggesting intriguing avenues for further research into these linguistic changes.
5. Conclusion
In summary, W. W. Schuhmacher's contributions to the study of Austronesian languages reveal the intricate mechanisms of language structure and evolution. By focusing on hidden grammatical categories, analogical reasoning in numeral systems, and the reconstruction of proto-linguistic phonemes, Schuhmacher presents a multifaceted view of linguistic development that emphasizes the interconnectedness of language and culture. His work encourages deeper inquiry into the historical contexts and patterns that shape modern Austronesian languages, ultimately enriching the field of linguistic anthropology and comparative linguistics.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What grammatical principle is observed in Eastern Asian languages?
In many Eastern and Southeast Asian languages, nouns are often classified with numerical classifiers or numeratives. These classifiers help prevent misunderstandings when nouns are paired with numerals, indicating hidden grammatical categories.
What did Dempwolff reconstruct regarding Proto-Austronesian languages?
Dempwolff proposed a Proto-Austronesian form for 'lizard' as *kak'ak based on various languages such as Toba-Batak and Malay. This reconstruction helps trace the development of language families within the Austronesian group.
What phonetic elements did Dempwolff identify in Uraustronesian?
Dempwolff identified a consonant inventory for Uraustronesian, suggesting a reduction from 23 phonetic elements to 16 phonemes, allowing for simpler rules in the differentiation of languages within the Austronesian family.
How did the Bellonese term for 'lizard' evolve?
The Bellonese word for 'lizard' evolved from Proto-Polynesian through a series of sound changes, where regular phonetic developments led to the modern term 'hokai', demonstrating linguistic shift within the Polynesian languages.
What new phoneme does Schuhmacher propose for Uraustronesian?
Schuhmacher proposes a new phoneme *s (or *z) for Uraustronesian, suggesting that it reflects specific sibilants within Formosan languages while being represented differently in other language branches.
What is noted about the updated bibliographical guide by Teng and Biggerstaff?
The third edition of Teng and Biggerstaff's bibliographical guide updates previous works, adding nearly 200 new titles while removing obsolete entries. However, it has some inaccuracies that could affect its scholarly reliability.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Contributions to the Synchrony and Diachrony of Austronesian Languages”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Peking:
Peking appears in the corrections listed under the book review of 'An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Chinese Reference Works,' where some errors in the entries are corrected by changing 'Shanghai' to 'Peking.'
2) Language:
The text is a scholarly discussion on Austronesian languages, addressing various aspects of phonology, grammar, and evolution of languages in the context of Austronesian linguistic studies.
3) Lizard:
The word 'lizard' comes up in a discussion about the proto-Polynesian word for lizard, specifically the Bellonese word 'hokai,' and how it relates to reconstructed proto-forms and phonetic rules.
4) Book:
The text contains several book reviews, including one for 'An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Chinese Reference Works,' highlighting its significance and the importance of updating bibliographical sources.
5) Hundred:
[see source text or glossary: Hundred]
6) Drusha (Drusa):
[see source text or glossary: Drusa]
7) Mata:
[see source text or glossary: Mata]
8) Vida:
Vida refers to G. Levi della Vida, mentioned in the review section discussing 'Uraustronesisch,' as a scholar whose works and ideas are influential in the field of Austronesian language studies.
9) Shosha (Sosa):
Sosa is a Proto-Polynesian form that theoretically evolved from the Proto-Austronesian form *k'ak'ak, a term for 'lizard.' The discussion involves phonetic shifts in Austronesian languages.
10) Mota:
Mota is a language that exemplifies irregular numeral formations within Austronesian studies, where an analogy between terms for 'one' and 'two' is discussed, showing historical linguistic patterns.
11) Hair:
In Uraustronesian studies, the Proto-Austronesian word for hair is reconstructed as /busuk/, implying it is linguistically connected to various Austric languages showing similar phonetic roots.
12) Tai:
Thai appears in the reconstruction discussions of Uraustronesian words, particularly the influence of Thai-Chinese comparative studies in identifying Proto-Austronesian phonemes and their developments.
13) Realization (Realisation):
Realisation refers to discussions in the text about phonological changes and how reconstructed phonemes are realized in different Austronesian daughter languages, such as shifting /s/ to /h/.
14) Literature:
The term refers to the extensive scholarly literature examined and discussed in the text, including various linguistic, phonetic, and grammatical analyses of Austronesian languages.
15) Existence:
Existence in the text refers to the presence or absence of certain phonetic elements or phonemes in reconstructed proto-languages, as examined through comparative linguistics data.
16) Grammar:
The text references the grammar of various Austronesian languages, discussing hidden and overt grammatical categories and developments from proto-forms to current forms.
17) Phallus (Phalli):
Phallus is mentioned in a metaphorical sense when discussing the Tuamotuan word for 'lizard,' which also means 'phallus,' indicating cultural symbolic connections in language.
18) Devotion (Devoted):
[see source text or glossary: Devoted]
19) Student:
[see source text or glossary: Student]
20) Island:
Island is relevant as Bellona is mentioned as a Polynesian outlier island, contributing to the study of Proto-Polynesian language forms and their evolution from Proto-Austronesian roots.
21) Winter:
[see source text or glossary: Winter]
22) China:
China is relevant in the context of comparative studies between Austronesian and Sino-Tibetan languages, influencing the reconstruction of Proto-Austronesian vocabulary.
23) Malay:
Malay is cited with respect to specific Austronesian words and their phonetic transformations, aiding the reconstruction of Proto-Austronesian vocabulary involving languages such as Malay.
24) Nagel:
[see source text or glossary: Nagel]
25) Penis:
Penis appears metaphorically related to the Polynesian word for lizard (moko or hokai), having cultural connotations connected to phallus symbolism in Tuamotuan.
26) Error:
Errors are mentioned in the review section detailing corrections and additions in 'An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Chinese Reference Works,' noting inconsistencies and typos.
27) Sound:
Sound is critical to the phonological discussions in the text, about how different sounds (or phonemes) evolved or were preserved in various Austronesian languages from their proto-forms.
28) Roman (Roma):
Roma refers to the publication details of the book 'Phönizisch-punische Grammatik,' reviewed in the text, noting its updated edition published by Pontificium Institutum Biblicum in Rome.
29) Mars (Marsh):
[see source text or glossary: Mars]
30) Dusa (Dusha):
[see source text or glossary: Dusa]
31) Shera (Sera):
[see source text or glossary: Sera]
32) Mise:
Mise en lumière (highlighting) is used in the review of G. Levi della Vida’s observations about Latin-Punic inscriptions, applicable in validating reconstructed linguistic forms.
33) Poem:
Poem refers to literary works such as those of Li Po, cited within the reviews concerning bibliographical works which also involve concordances and indexes of classical Chinese poetry.