The peopling of the Pacific:A Linguistic Appraisal∗

Abstract

and classifying the 1,800 odd languages in the Pacific area.1 Although progress has been rapid, there are still big gaps in our knowledge of these languages which will prevent the formulation of definitive statements, especially detailed appraisals, for some years. It is a sobering thought that of the 200 odd Australian languages2 we have detailed information on only about half; of the 741 Papuan languages3 we are reasonably certain of one large genetic grouping (linguistically speaking), the Trans-New Guinea Phylum, but not really certain as to the genetic affinities of the not inconsiderable remainder (33%). Indeed fewer than one-third of all Pa puan languages have been studied in any depth at all. On the Austronesian scene we appear to be moving towards a consensus on highest order subgroup ings. However, one of the largest subgroups of Austronesian, the Oceanic subgroup, with more than 400 member languages, is still very problematic in that at present we are still not sure what its component first-order subgroups are. Currently we have only an unstratified collection of languages broken up into roughly 20 subgroups.4 Of the 400 or more Oceanic languages we lack any but the most fragmentary data on more than half. Even in Polynesia, where subgrouping has appeared secure for some time, there are still a number of unresolved issues.5 Nevertheless while many problems remain to be solved and unqualified generalizations are to be avoided, the work of linguists, particularly in the last few decades, allows some confident statements and appraisals to be made con cerning language relationships in the Pacific area. There are three unrelated language categories or 'families' in the Pacific area.6 These are: 1. The Australian Aboriginal languages.