Blust Robert A. Austronesian Root Theory: An Essay on The Limits of Morphology

John Benjamins Publishing, 1988. — 190 p. — (Studies in Language Companion Series 19).The present study 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 it examines Brandstetter's methods and results, and applies a modified form of his approach to new material.
Attention is drawn to several general problems of linguistic analysis which arise with recognition of the Austronesian root. These include 1. the intriguing balance of gains (increased power of reconstructional inferences) and losses (decreased control over convergence) which accompanies application of the Comparative Method within the context of root theory, 2. the paradox of historical transmission (how are roots transmitted in non-cognate forms through the generations as speech communities diverge and daughter languages develop?), 3.
the origin of roots.
Finally, some related matters of sound symbolism which fall outside the domain of root theory proper are examined briefly. As with the root, attention is drawn to the implications that these phenomena hold for general linguistic theory.Tables and Figures
Abbreviations used in the textOn "root theory"
The morpheme: two operational definitions
A synoptic history of Austronesian root theory
A critique of Brandstetter's theory of the root
Control of chance
Failure to recognize regular sound change
Use of cognates to establish a root
Overgeneralization
Arbitrariness of "root variation"
The non-argument for word-base formatives
Austronesian root theory revisited
The empirical reality of the root
Establishing the root by synchronic comparison
Establishing the root by diachronic comparison
Establishing the root by paradigmatic contrast
The issue of statistical controls
The characteristics of the root
Phonological characteristics of the root
Semantic characteristics of the root
Distributional characteristics of the root
Root variation
The root in linguistic comparison: asset or liability?
The psychological reality of the root
The origin of roots
Related matters
Initial consonant symbolism
Medial consonant symbolism
Final consonant symbolism
Gestalt symbolism
McCune's analysis of Bahasa Indonesia
Implications for general linguistic theory
Appendices
Notes