The Development of Arandic Subsection Names in Time and Space

Abstract

This chapter builds on the findings of McConvell (1985, 1996) regarding the spread of subsection terms in north central Australia.1 It explores the timing and direction of the spread of section and subsection terms into the Arandic subgroup of languages in finer detail, and takes into consideration historical evidence from early sources such as Gillen’s correspondence (Mulvaney et al. 1997). The chapter pays particular attention to issues of phonological change within the Arandic languages (Koch 1997b) and principles of adaptation of loan words between these languages and Warlpiri, as outlined in Koch (1997a, 2014). New proposals include the replacement of terms during the course of history and the positing of some intermediate terms that are not directly attested. Attention is paid to the history of the documentation of the systems, as well as native traditions regarding their origins. Show more