Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Preverbs as an open word class in Northern Australian languages: synchronic and diachronic correlates

  • Chapter
Yearbook of Morphology 2003

Part of the book series: Yearbook of Morphology ((YOMO))

Abstract

Preverbs constituting a distinct part of speech are found in languages of different genetic affiliation throughout Northern Australia. In a large part of the linguistic area defined by the presence of preverbs, they are used to form complex predicates which at first sight bear striking similarities to the separable complex verbs of Germanic languages: the preverb is an uninflecting element which takes primary stress if it appears in preverbal position, but its position with respect to the inflecting verb is variable. Its meaning may be of a spatial or aspectual type. Thus, the Jaminjung examples in (1) and (2) have straightforward translation equivalents in English1.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Ackerman, Farrell and Philip LeSourd (1997). Towards a lexical representation of phrasal predicates. In Alex Alsina, Joan Bresnan and Peter Sells (eds.), Complex Predicates. Stanford CA: CSLI Publications, 67–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alpher, Barry (1994). Yir-Yoront Ideophones. In Leanne Hinton, Johanna Nichols and John Ohala (eds.), Sound Symbolism. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press, 161–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, Avery D. and Christopher D. Manning (1999). Complex predicates and information spreading in LFG. Stanford CA: CSLI Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Austin, Peter (1981). A Grammar of Diyari, South Australia. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhatt, Christa and Markus Lindlar (eds.) (1998). Alles Kölsch. Eine Dokumentation der aktuellen Stadtsprache in Köln. Bonn: Bouvier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biber, Douglas, Stig Johansson, Geoffrey Leech, Susan Conrad and Edward Finegan (1999). Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blake, Barry J. (1987). Australian Aboriginal Grammar. London: Croom Helm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolt, Janet E., William G. Hoddinott and Frances M. Kofod (1971). An Elementary Grammar of the Nungali language of the Northern Territory. Unpublished Ms., Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Booij, Geert (2002). The Morphology of Dutch. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butt, Miriam (1997). Complex predicates in Urdu. In Alex Alsina, Joan Bresnan and Peter Sells (eds.), Complex Predicates. Stanford CA: CSLI Publications, 107–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bybee, Joan L. (1985). Morphology. A Study of the Relation between Meaning and Form. Amsterdam: Benjamins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Capell, Arthur (1976). Simple and compound verbs: conjugation by auxiliaries in Australian verbal systems. Rapporteur’s introduction and summary. In R.M.W. Dixon (ed.), Grammatical Categories in Australian Languages. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, 615–625.

    Google Scholar 

  • Capell, Arthur (1979). Classification of verbs in Australian languages. In Stephen A. Wurm (ed.), Australian Linguistic Studies. (= Pacific Linguistics C-54). Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, 229–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, Thérèse M. (2000). Wunambal: A language of the North-West Kimberley Region, Western Australia. Unpublished Masters (Honours) Thesis, University of New England, Armidale.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick, Neil (1997). The Barkly and Jaminjungan languages: a non-contiguous genetic grouping. In Darrell T. Tryon and Michael Walsh (eds.), Boundary Rider: Studies in the Lexicology and Comparative Linguistics of Australian Languages. (= Pacific Linguistics C-136). Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, 95–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, Anthony (1986). Participle sentences in Wakiman. In Peter Austin (ed.), Complex Sentence Constructions in Australian Languages. Amsterdam: Benjamins, 69–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, R.M.W (1980). The Languages of Australia. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, R.M.W. (2001). The Australian linguistic area. In Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald and R.M.W. Dixon (eds.), Areal Diffusion and Genetic Inheritance. Problems in Comparative Linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 64–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donaldson, Tamsin (1980). Ngiyambaa. The Language of the Wangaaybuwan. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durie, Mark (1997). Grammatical structures in verb serialization. In Alex Alsina, Joan Bresnan and Peter Sells (eds.), Complex Predicates. Stanford CA: CSLI Publications, 289–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, Nicholas (in press). Bininj Gun-Wok: A Pan-dialectal Grammar of Mayali, Kunwinjku and Kune. Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foley, William and Mike Olson (1985). Clausehood and verb serialization. In Johanna Nichols and Anthony C. Woodbury (eds.), Grammar Inside and Outside the Clause. Some Approaches to Theory from the Field. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press, 17–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goddard, Cliff (1985). A Grammar of Yankunytjatjara. Alice Springs: Institute for Aboriginal Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, Adele (1995). Constructions. A Construction Grammar Approach to Argument Structure. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, Adele (1996). Words by default: Optimizing constraints and the Persian complex predicate. Berkeley Linguistic Society 22, 132–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimshaw, Janet and A. Mester (1988). Light verbs and Theta marking. Linguistic Inquiry 19(2), 205–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hampe, Beate (1997). Towards a solution of the phrasal verb puzzle: Considerations on some scattered pieces. Lexicology 3(2), 203–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, John W. (1991). Kriol — the creation of a new language. In Suzanne Romaine (ed.), Language in Australia. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press, 195–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, Mark and Eva Schultze-Berndt (in prep.) A Grammar of Nungali.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath, Jeffrey (1976). Topic E: Simple and compound verbs: conjugation by auxiliaries in Australian verbal systems. North-east Arnhem Land. In R.M.W. Dixon (ed.), Grammatical categories in Australian languages. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, 735–740.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath, Jeffrey (1980). Nunggubuyu Myths and Ethnographic Texts. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath, Jeffrey (1984). Functional Grammar of Nunggubuyu. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinton, Leanne, Johanna Nichols and John Ohala (eds.) (1994). Sound Symbolism. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoddinott, William G. and Frances M. Kofod (1976). Topic E: Simple and compound verbs: conjugation by auxiliaries in Australian verbal systems. Djamindjungan. In R.M.W. Dixon (ed.), Grammatical Categories in Australian Languages. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, 698–704.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoddinott, William G. and Frances M. Kofod(1988). The Ngankikurungkurr Language (Daly River area, Northern Territory). (= Pacific Linguistics D-77). Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koch, Harold (1984). The category of ‘associated motion’ in KayteJ. Language in Central Australia 1, 23–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kofod, Frances M. (1996a). Verb Stems in Jarragan Languages of the East Kimberley. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Australian Linguistic Society, Canberra 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kofod, Frances M. (1996b). Kija Learner’s Grammar. Unpublished Ms, Halls Creek, W.A.: Kimberley Language Resource Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kofod, Frances M. (1997). Gender and Number in Jarragan languages. Paper presented at the Top End Linguistics Circle Meeting, Darwin, 24 April 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langacker, Ronald W (1987). Foundations of Cognitive Grammar. Vol. I. Theoretical Prerequisites. Stanford CA: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann, Christian (1983). Latin preverbs and cases. In Harm Pinkster (ed.), Latin Linguistics and Linguistic Theory. Proceedings of the 1st International Colloquium on Latin Linguistics, Amsterdam, April 1981. Amsterdam: Benjamins, 145–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann, Christian (1995). Thoughts on Grammaticalization. München: Lincom Europa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto, Yo (1996). Complex Predicates in Japanese. Stanford CA and Tokyo: CSLI Publications and Kurosio Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • McConvell, Patrick (to appear). Gurindji Grammar. In Barry Blake and R.M.W. Dixon (eds.), Handbook of Australian Languages VI.

    Google Scholar 

  • McConvell, Patrick and Eva Schultze-Berndt (2001). Complex verb convergence and bilingual interaction in the Victoria River District, Australia. Paper presented at the Workshop on Language contact and areal convergence, DGfS Meeting, Leipzig, 1 March 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, William B. (1990). A Functional Grammar of Gooniyandi. Amsterdam: Benjamins.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, William B. (1993). Gunin/Kwini. München: Lincom Europa.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, William B. (1994). Warrwa. München: Lincom Europa.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, William B. (1996a). Nyulnyul. München: Lincom Europa.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, William B. (1996b). Sound symbolism in Gooniyandi, a language of Western Australia. Word 47(3), 339–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, William B. (2001). Ideophones as the source of verbs in Northern Australian languages. In F.K. Erhard Voeltz and Christa Kilian-Hatz (eds.), Ideophones. Amsterdam: Benjamins, 205–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, William B. (2002). Verb Classification in Australian Languages. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merlan, Francesca C. (1982). Mangarayi. Amsterdam: North Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merlan, Francesca C. (1994). A Grammar of Wardaman. A language of the Northern Territory of Australia. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metcalfe, C.D. (1975). Bardi Verb Morphology. (= Pacific Linguistics B-30). Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohanan, Tara (1994). Argument Structure in Hindi. Stanford CA: CSLI Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohanan, Tara (1997). Multidimensionality of Representation: Noun-Verb Complex Predicates in Hindi. In Alex Alsina, Joan Bresnan and Peter Sells (eds.), Complex Predicates. Stanford CA: CSLI Publications, 431–472.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers-Scotton, C. and J. Jake (1995). Matching lemmas in a bilingual competence and production model. Linguistics 33, 981–1024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nash, David (1982). Warlpiri verb roots and preverbs. In Stephen Swartz (ed.), Papers in Warlpiri Grammar, in Memory of Lothar Jagst. (= Work Papers of SIL-AAB, Series A, Vol. 6). Berrimah, N.T.: Summer Institute of Linguistics, 165–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, David (1986). Topics in Warlpiri Grammar New York: Garland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordlinger, Rachel (1990). Bilinara. Unpublished Honours Thesis, University of Melbourne.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordlinger, Rachel (1998). A Grammar of Wambaya, Northern Territory (Australia). (= Pacific Linguistics C-140). Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pawley, Andrew (1986). Lexicalization. In Deborah Tannen and James Alatis (eds.), Georgetown University Round Table on Language and Linguistics. Washington DC: Georgetown University Press, 98–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pawley, Andrew and Frances H. Syder (1983). Two puzzles for linguistic theory: nativelike selection and nativelike fluency. In Jack C. Richards and Richard W. Schmidt (eds.), Language and Communication. London: Longman, 191–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, Nicholas J. (1990). Ngan’gityemerri. A language of the Daly River region, Northern Territory of Australia. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Canberra: Australian National University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, Nicholas J. (to appear). Phrasal verb to synthetic verb: recorded morphosyntactic change in Ngan’gityemerri. In Nick Evans (ed.), Studies in Comparative Non-Pama-Nyungan Languages. Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romaine, Suzanne (1989). Bilingualism. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rumsey, Alan (1982). An Intra-sentence Grammar of Ungarinjin, North-Western Australia. (= Pacific Linguistics B-86). Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultze-Berndt, Eva (2000). Simple and Complex Verbs in Jaminjung. A study of Event Categorization in an Australian Language. PhD thesis, Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultze-Berndt, Eva (2001). Ideophone-like characteristics of uninflecting predicates in Jaminjung (Australia). In F. K. Erhard Voeltz and Christa Kilian-Hatz (eds.), Ideophones Amsterdam: Benjamins, 355–373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultze-Berndt, Eva (to appear) Making sense of complex verbs: on the semantics and argument structure of closed-class verbs and coverbs in Jaminjung. In Melissa Bowerman and Penelope Brown (eds.), Cross-linguistic Perspectives on Argument Structure. Implications for Learnability. Hillsdale NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shibatani, Masayoshi (1996). Applicatives and benefactives: A cognitive account. In Masayoshi Shibatani and Sandra A. Thompson (eds.), Grammatical Constructions. Their Form and Meaning. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 157–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverstein, Michael (1986). Classifiers, verb classifiers, and verbal categories. Berkeley Linguistic Society 12, 497–514.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, Jane (1991). Warlpiri Morpho-Syntax. A Lexicalist Approach. Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokes, Bronwyn (1996). The top then Nyulnyulan verb roots: further evidence for language classification. In William B. McGregor (ed.), Studies in Kimberley Languages in Honour of Howard Coate. München: Lincom Europa, 175–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tryon, Darrell T. (1974). Daly Family Languages, Australia. (= Pacific Linguistics C-32). Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsunoda, Tasaku (1981). The Djaru Language of Kimberley, W.A. (= Pacific Linguistics B-78). Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vászolyi, Eric (1976). Simple and compound verbs: conjugation by auxiliaries in Australian verbal systems. Wunambal. In R.M.W. Dixon (ed.), Grammatical Categories in Australian Languages. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, 629–646.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincent, Nigel (1999). The evolution of c-structure: prepositions and PPs from Indo-European to Romance. Linguistics 37, 1111–1153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voeltz, F.K. Erhard and Christa Kilian-Hatz (eds.) (2001). Ideophones. Amsterdam: Benjamins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, Michael (1996). Vouns and nerbs: a category squish in Murrinh-Patha (Northern Australian). In William B. McGregor (ed.), Studies in Kimberley Languages in Honour of Howard Coate. München: Lincom Europa, 227–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, David P. (1997). The verbalization of motion events in Arrernte (Central Australia). In Eve Clark (ed.), The Proceedings of the Twenty-Eighth Annual Child Language Research Forum. Stanford CA: CSLI Publications, 295–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, Stephen (1999). Coverbs and Complex Predicates in Wagiman. Stanford CA: CSLI Publications.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Inselstr. 22, D-04103, Leipzig

    Eva Schultze-Berndt

Authors
  1. Eva Schultze-Berndt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Vrije Universiteit, Nederland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Geert Booij

  2. Open Universiteit, Nederland, Heerlen, The Netherlands

    Jaap Van Marle

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Schultze-Berndt, E. (2003). Preverbs as an open word class in Northern Australian languages: synchronic and diachronic correlates. In: Booij, G., Van Marle, J. (eds) Yearbook of Morphology 2003. Yearbook of Morphology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-1513-7_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-1513-7_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-1272-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-1513-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation