Clause chaining in Matukar Panau (Oceanic, Papua New Guinea)

Abstract

This chapter offers a description of the structure and usage of clause chains in Matukar Panau, an Oceanic Austronesian language of Papua New Guinea with long term Papuan language contact. Matukar Panau is in the small Bel family. Although clause chaining is a common clause combining strategy in Papuan languages, including those spoken near the village of Matukar, it is atypical of Oceanic languages. Like some neighbouring Papuan languages, Matukar Panau has recapitulative linkage, but no switch-reference. Medial verbs are marked for reality status, which scopes over the entire clause chain, which is also a feature of some Papuan languages. However, the distinction in realis/irrealis is a pervasive feature of Oceanic. The etymology of Matukar Panau medial verb markers, in the context of Bel languages and Proto-Oceanic can help explain some of the features of the modern system, including homonymy of some medial and final markers. Show more