Discourse factors of switch-reference in Whitesands (Oceanic)
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Jeremy Hammond
Abstract
Whitesands (ISO: TNP) is an Oceanic language of the southern Vanuatu sub-group. Like the related languages of southern Vanuatu, Whitesands has developed a clause-linkage system that is a kind of switch-reference system. This device monitors referent continuity on new clauses – typically contrasting with the previous clause. In this paper I investigate the use of this system in natural discourse, focusing on regularity and form of the system. I conclude that discourse or genre type does not correlate with specific switch reference features in a narrow sense, yet at the same time suggest that studies investigating switch reference should be aware of the discourse context when making generalisation about prominence and usage patterns.
Abstract
Whitesands (ISO: TNP) is an Oceanic language of the southern Vanuatu sub-group. Like the related languages of southern Vanuatu, Whitesands has developed a clause-linkage system that is a kind of switch-reference system. This device monitors referent continuity on new clauses – typically contrasting with the previous clause. In this paper I investigate the use of this system in natural discourse, focusing on regularity and form of the system. I conclude that discourse or genre type does not correlate with specific switch reference features in a narrow sense, yet at the same time suggest that studies investigating switch reference should be aware of the discourse context when making generalisation about prominence and usage patterns.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Switch reference 1
- Some non-canonical switch reference systems and the fundamental functions of switch reference 55
- Is there switch-reference marking in coordinated clauses? 93
- Takic switch reference in Uto-Aztecan perspective 115
- Switch reference in Western South America 153
- Switch reference systems in the Barbacoan languages and their neighbors 207
- The zero-marked switch-reference system of the Papuan language Iatmul 231
- Discourse factors of switch-reference in Whitesands (Oceanic) 253
- Typologically relevant peculiarities of the switch reference system in Yukaghir 301
- Ėven converbs and the syntax of switch-reference 335
- Chickasaw switch-reference revisited 377
- More on switch-reference in Kotiria (Wanano, East Tukano) 425
- Switch-reference and case-marking in Aguaruna (Jivaroan) and beyond 453
- Target, embedding and switch-reference constructions in Kakataibo (Panoan, Peru) 473
- Language Index 493
- Author Index 495
- Subject Index 499
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Switch reference 1
- Some non-canonical switch reference systems and the fundamental functions of switch reference 55
- Is there switch-reference marking in coordinated clauses? 93
- Takic switch reference in Uto-Aztecan perspective 115
- Switch reference in Western South America 153
- Switch reference systems in the Barbacoan languages and their neighbors 207
- The zero-marked switch-reference system of the Papuan language Iatmul 231
- Discourse factors of switch-reference in Whitesands (Oceanic) 253
- Typologically relevant peculiarities of the switch reference system in Yukaghir 301
- Ėven converbs and the syntax of switch-reference 335
- Chickasaw switch-reference revisited 377
- More on switch-reference in Kotiria (Wanano, East Tukano) 425
- Switch-reference and case-marking in Aguaruna (Jivaroan) and beyond 453
- Target, embedding and switch-reference constructions in Kakataibo (Panoan, Peru) 473
- Language Index 493
- Author Index 495
- Subject Index 499
