Junior skin names in Central Australia: function and origin

Abstract

We discuss an extension of the Central Australian 16-term subsection social category system to a 32-term system, achieved by adding a further division between junior and adult terms. This extended system is found among Warumungu, Warlmanpa, Eastern Warlpiri, Kaytetye and Western Anmatyerr. For example, beside the adult forms Japanangka and Napanangka there are junior masculine and feminine names Janama and Ngamana. The division between junior and adult terms expands the possibility for internal regularisation, because each set can be seen either on its own (how to regularise all the junior terms) or in comparison with the other set (how to differentiate junior from adult terms). We consider the uses of junior terms, and the historical attestation of their presence and questions such as: What are they used for? How long have these forms been in these languages? What is their origin and route of spread? How can we account for the relationship between the form of the junior terms and that of corresponding adult terms? What social mechanisms were involved in their adoption? How has their usage changed during the historical period? Show more