The Fore language of Papua New Guinea

Abstract

FORE is a non-Austronesian language of the highlands of Papua New Guinea . It has two particularly fascinating aspects : (i) extensive phonological change according to morpheme class; and (ii ) indication of inter-clausal relationships as part of verb morphology . In this description, the basic philosophy is that of the theory of Tagmemics, although peculiarly Tagmemic terminology and formulae have been kept to a minimum . Following a review of previous scholarship given in the first chapter, chapter 2 describes the phonology , and chapter 3 the morphophonemic changes which pervade Fore speech . Later, in chapter 10 , a brief comparative survey places Fore within the larger context of the East-Central family . Morphology and syntax at clause level are given in chapter s 4-6. Chapter 7 then gives the morphology of inter-clausal relations, by which strings of clauses are conjoined to form the inordinately long sentences which are typical of languages such as Fore . The structure of such strings is given in chapter 8 , which is then illustrated by as ample one - sentence discourse in chapter 9. Under lying morpheme forms are given throughout.