Chapter 7. From Lamaholot to Alorese
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Marian A.F. Klamer
Abstract
Alorese is a prime example of a morphologically isolating language. This paper traces the process of morphological simplification it has undergone by addressing the following questions: (i) What was the morphological profile of its ancestor, pre-Alorese? (ii) When did Alorese start to lose its morphology? (iii) Which factors caused this loss? By comparing the morphological profile of current Alorese with its sister language, Lewoingu-Lamaholot, I conclude that the morphology of pre-Alorese was at least as complex as current Lewoingu-Lamaholot. Pre-Alorese underwent a process of drastic and swift morphological loss after its speakers migrated to Pantar island around 1300 AD. Pre-Alorese must have had a significant proportion of adult second language speakers who acquired it imperfectly, thus causing its morphology to be lost. Thus, this is a good example of morphological simplification due to imperfect adult learning in a small-scale language variety.
Abstract
Alorese is a prime example of a morphologically isolating language. This paper traces the process of morphological simplification it has undergone by addressing the following questions: (i) What was the morphological profile of its ancestor, pre-Alorese? (ii) When did Alorese start to lose its morphology? (iii) Which factors caused this loss? By comparing the morphological profile of current Alorese with its sister language, Lewoingu-Lamaholot, I conclude that the morphology of pre-Alorese was at least as complex as current Lewoingu-Lamaholot. Pre-Alorese underwent a process of drastic and swift morphological loss after its speakers migrated to Pantar island around 1300 AD. Pre-Alorese must have had a significant proportion of adult second language speakers who acquired it imperfectly, thus causing its morphology to be lost. Thus, this is a good example of morphological simplification due to imperfect adult learning in a small-scale language variety.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Preface ix
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. What does it mean to be an isolating language? 9
- Chapter 2. The loss of affixation in Cham 97
- Chapter 3. Dual heritage 119
- Chapter 4. Voice and bare verbs in Colloquial Minangkabau 213
- Chapter 5. Javanese undressed 253
- Chapter 6. Are the Central Flores languages really typologically unusual? 287
- Chapter 7. From Lamaholot to Alorese 339
- Chapter 8. Double agent, double cross? 369
- Chapter 9. The origins of isolating word structure in eastern Timor 391
- Chapter 10. Becoming Austronesian 447
- Chapter 11. Concluding reflections 483
- Index 507
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Preface ix
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. What does it mean to be an isolating language? 9
- Chapter 2. The loss of affixation in Cham 97
- Chapter 3. Dual heritage 119
- Chapter 4. Voice and bare verbs in Colloquial Minangkabau 213
- Chapter 5. Javanese undressed 253
- Chapter 6. Are the Central Flores languages really typologically unusual? 287
- Chapter 7. From Lamaholot to Alorese 339
- Chapter 8. Double agent, double cross? 369
- Chapter 9. The origins of isolating word structure in eastern Timor 391
- Chapter 10. Becoming Austronesian 447
- Chapter 11. Concluding reflections 483
- Index 507
