Austronesian Root Theory: An essay on the limits of morphology

Studies in Language Companion #19

by Robert A. Blust

Since the pioneering analyses of Renward Brandstetter (1860 1942) a quasi-morphological element called the root has been recognized in Austronesian linguistics. This monograph confronts many of the methodological and substantive issues raised but never fully resolved by Brandstetter. In an effort to reassess the value of his work for contemporary linguistics the author examines Brandstetter s methods and results, and applies a modified from of this approach to new material. The study establishes 230 roots based on more than 2,560 root tokens in some 117 languages. It is thus intended to serve as a rudimentary root dictionary and a basic handbook on the subject of the root for future scholars of Austronesian."

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Robert Blust is a Professor in Historical Linguistics and Austronesian Comparative Linguistics at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.

Reviews

[Robert Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blust's theory is that Austronesian roots are actually somewhere in between morphemes and phonemes, a middle ground previously labeled as phonesthemes. He deeply criticizes Brandsletter and to a lesser extent Dempwolff. He even sneaks in some digs on Wolff's PAn phonological reconstructions. His appendices are fantastically well researched and exhaustive. However, while he does cite a few non-Indonesian/Malaysian languages in the prose, his roots generally don't mention Oceanic/Polynesian forms. All in all, a quick, interesting read.