31.1235, Books: Metathesis and unmetathesis in Amarasi: Edwards

Thu Apr 2 01:56:18 UTC 2020

LINGUIST List: Vol-31-1235. Wed Apr 01 2020. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 31.1235, Books: Metathesis and unmetathesis in Amarasi: Edwards

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Date: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 21:55:50
From: Sebastian Nordhoff [Sebastian.Nordhoff at langsci-press.org]
Subject: Metathesis and unmetathesis in Amarasi: Edwards

Title: Metathesis and unmetathesis in Amarasi 
Series Title: Studies in Diversity Linguistics  

Publication Year: 2020 
Publisher: Language Science Press
	   http://langsci-press.org

Book URL: https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/228 

Author: Owen Edwards

Electronic: ISBN:  9783961102228 Pages: 586 Price: Europe EURO 0 Comment: Open Access

Abstract:

This book provides a complete analysis of synchronic CV -> VC metathesis in
Amarasi, a language of western Timor. Metathesis and unmetathesis realise a
paradigm of parallel forms, pairs of which occur to complement each other
throughout the language.

Metathesis in Amarasi is superficially associated with a bewildering array of
disparate phonological processes including: vowel deletion, consonant
deletion, consonant insertion and multiple kinds of vowel assimilation, any of
which can (and do) vary by lect in their realisation. By proposing that
Amarasi has an obligatory CVCVC foot in which C-slots can be empty, all these
phonological processes can be straightforwardly derived from a single rule of
metathesis and two associated phonological rules.

Three kinds of metathesis can be identified in Amarasi: (i) Before vowel
initial enclitics, roots must undergo metathesis, responding to the need to
create a phonological boundary between a clitic host and enclitic. Such
metathesis is phonologically conditioned. (ii) Metathesis occurs within the
syntax to signal attributive modification. Such a metathesised form cannot
occur at the end of a phrase and thus requires the presence of an
unmetathesised form to complete it syntactically. (iii) In the discourse an
unmetathesised form marks an unresolved event or situation. Such an
unmetathesised form cannot occur in isolation and requires a metathesised form
to achieve resolution.

Metathesis in Amarasi is the central linguistic process around which
linguistic structures are organised. Amarasi metatheses also reflect
fundamental Timorese notions of societal and cosmic organisation. Alongside
weaving and other performed activities, metathesis is an important linguistic
marker of identity in a region obsessed with similarities and differences
between different groups. The complementarity of Amarasi metathesis and
unmetathesis within the syntax and within discourse reflects the Timorese
division of the world into a series of mutually dependent binary and
complementary pairs. As well as being the key which unlocks the structure of
the language, metathesis is also a reflection of the structure of Amarasi
society and culture.

Linguistic Field(s): Morphology
                     Phonology

Subject Language(s): Amarasi (aaz)

Written In: English  (eng)

See this book announcement on our website: 
http://linguistlist.org/pubs/books/get-book.cfm?BookID=142593

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