John Benjamins Publishing Company
The pragmatics of first person non-singular pronouns in Norf’k
Abstract
The Norf’k language of the descendants of the Mutiny of the Bounty has developed a complex inventory of pronouns and similarly complex rules for their use. The large size of the pronoun paradigm reflects both the cumulative nature of Norf’k grammar where constructions from Tahitian, English and St. Kitts Creole continue to co-exist and the specific human ecology in which the language developed. A rare property of first person non-singular pronouns is the distinction of pronouns that are used exclusively by and to refer to Bounty descendants. Another interesting property is the distinction between a large set of deictic pronouns and a much smaller set of anaphoric ones. The discussion draws on a large sample of naturalistic spoken and written texts as well as discussions with informants during 18 field visits. The findings differ from previous analyses and demonstrate the importance of extended participant observation and a rich database.
Abstract
The Norf’k language of the descendants of the Mutiny of the Bounty has developed a complex inventory of pronouns and similarly complex rules for their use. The large size of the pronoun paradigm reflects both the cumulative nature of Norf’k grammar where constructions from Tahitian, English and St. Kitts Creole continue to co-exist and the specific human ecology in which the language developed. A rare property of first person non-singular pronouns is the distinction of pronouns that are used exclusively by and to refer to Bounty descendants. Another interesting property is the distinction between a large set of deictic pronouns and a much smaller set of anaphoric ones. The discussion draws on a large sample of naturalistic spoken and written texts as well as discussions with informants during 18 field visits. The findings differ from previous analyses and demonstrate the importance of extended participant observation and a rich database.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Preface ix
- Constructing collectivity with ‘we’ 1
-
Part I. Semantic and pragmatic perspectives on ‘we’
- Referentiality, predicate patterns, and functions of we -utterances in American English interactions 23
- Singular perception, multiple perspectives through ‘we’ 45
- Referential and functional aspects of the Norwegian first person plural vi 65
- Grammar, interaction, and context 83
- The pragmatics of first person non-singular pronouns in Norf’k 105
-
Part II. Interactional perspectives on ‘we’
- ‘We’ as social categorization in Cha’palaa, a language of Ecuador 135
- Replying with the freestanding ‘we’ in Greek conversations 159
- Establishing social groups in Hebrew 187
- Why ‘we’? 207
- Children’s use of English we in a primary school in Wales 227
-
Part III. Genre-specific perspectives on ‘we’
- “Nail polish – We’ve chosen the nicest shades for you!” 247
- Author positioning and audience addressivity by means of ‘we’ in Greek academic discourse 265
- Bulgarian ‘we’ and audience involvement in academic writing 287
- On the use of ‘we’ in Flemish World War II interviews 309
- “Judge us on what we do” 331
- Author index 351
- Subject index 353
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Preface ix
- Constructing collectivity with ‘we’ 1
-
Part I. Semantic and pragmatic perspectives on ‘we’
- Referentiality, predicate patterns, and functions of we -utterances in American English interactions 23
- Singular perception, multiple perspectives through ‘we’ 45
- Referential and functional aspects of the Norwegian first person plural vi 65
- Grammar, interaction, and context 83
- The pragmatics of first person non-singular pronouns in Norf’k 105
-
Part II. Interactional perspectives on ‘we’
- ‘We’ as social categorization in Cha’palaa, a language of Ecuador 135
- Replying with the freestanding ‘we’ in Greek conversations 159
- Establishing social groups in Hebrew 187
- Why ‘we’? 207
- Children’s use of English we in a primary school in Wales 227
-
Part III. Genre-specific perspectives on ‘we’
- “Nail polish – We’ve chosen the nicest shades for you!” 247
- Author positioning and audience addressivity by means of ‘we’ in Greek academic discourse 265
- Bulgarian ‘we’ and audience involvement in academic writing 287
- On the use of ‘we’ in Flemish World War II interviews 309
- “Judge us on what we do” 331
- Author index 351
- Subject index 353
