Furthermore, verbs and adjectives are only distinguishable through serial verb constructions (SVCs).Ī Grammar of Dhao An Endangered Austronesian Language in Eastern IndonesiaĪn Endangered Austronesian Language in Eastern Indonesia (C)a- partial reduplication applies to both nominal and verbal categories. The only derivational prefix pa- bears a variety of meanings and interacts with other morphological processes.
Word classes are defined only through constructions. Lack of morphological operations in the language makes the analysis of syntactic categories challenging.
Phonologically, Dhao has 23 native consonants and six vowels. This grammar provides an innovative contribution to the tradition of language research and description in Eastern Indonesia and specifically in the Timor Region. SVCs include at most three verbs whose types are based on the semantics of the verbs. Clause combining does not always have an overt marking therefore, intonation is used to identify the conjoined units. Due to mismatch between verb valencies and constructions, valency and transitivity are treated as two disctinct terms in this grammar valency is semantic and transitivity is syntactic. In order to indicate grammatical relations, only co-indexing system applies. This grammar has six chapters which mainly describe the phonology, morphology, and syntax of Dhao. It is a member of the Sumba-Hawu subgroup in the Austronesian family and displays an intensive contact with nearby Kupang Malay and the Rote dialects, which also influences the grammar of the language. An Endangered Austronesian Language in Eastern Indonesia This book presents a grammar description of Dhao, an endangered Austronesian language spoken by about 3000 people on Ndao Island in Eastern Indonesia.