Abstract
Evidence is presented that a noniconic morphological mechanism called was used in Proto-Austronesian (PAN) for several functions, most notably, to form nouns. This observation has a direct bearing on the claim, advanced in Starosta, Pawley, and Reid (1982), that the affixes of modern Philippine and Formosan languages reflect PAN morphemes that were exclusively nominalizing. If this were the case, *Si- instrumental focus and Ca- reduplication would have performed essentially identical functions. It is argued that a more plausible reconstruction of PAN grammar must recognize verbal focus, together with nominalization strategies that made use of both focus-marking and nonfocus-marking morphological processes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
