Priestley, CarolAustralian Linguistic Society2012-09-262012-09-262012-10Priestley, C. (2012). The expression of potential event modality in the Papuan language of Koromu. In M. Ponsonnet, L. Dao & M. Bowler (Eds), Proceedings of the 42nd Australian Linguistic Society Conference – 2011, Australian National University, Canberra ACT, 2-4 December 2011 (pp. 389-422).978-0-9802815-4-5http://hdl.handle.net/1885/9422This paper aims to give an overview of the morphosyntax and semantics of potential event modality in Koromu (Kesawai), a Madang language in the Papuan group. Potential event modality refers to Palmer’s “events that are not actualized…but are merely potential” (2001:70). Some characteristics of event modality are compared with English and other Papuan/regional languages. The study is based on Koromu data in recorded texts, collected over a number of years and on earlier grammatical analysis (Priestley 2002a, 2009, and forthcoming a). Meanings are represented in semantic explications in the natural semantic metalanguage, a metalanguage that can be used in many different languages (Goddard & Wierzbicka 2002). The findings include a range of constructions and meanings for “imperative” and “desiderative” type expressions, a distinction between external, internal and negative desires, and strategies for testing meaning and grammar analysis with Koromu speakersANU College of Arts & Social Sciences, School of Language Studies; ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, School of Culture, History and Language34 pagesapplication/pdfen-AUAuthor/s retain copyrightpotential event modalityimperativedesiderativesemantic primesexplicationsgrammaticized ‘say/do’The expression of potential event modality in the Papuan language of Koromu2015-12-10