Pawley A.K., Ross M.D. (Eds.). Austronesian terminologies: continuity and change

The Australian National University, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, 1994. — 632 p. — (Pacific Linguistics: Series C 127).In this comprehensive volume, the authors examine the lexicons and terminologies across Austronesian languages. The Austronesian language family includes languages spoken across a vast geographical area, from Madagascar to the Pacific Islands. These languages share a common ancestry and exhibit intriguing linguistic features. The book explores how Austronesian terminologies have evolved over time. It investigates both the continuity of certain terms across related languages and the changes that occur due to cultural shifts, contact, and other factors. The authors analyze cognate sets—groups of related words—in Austronesian languages. These sets reveal historical connections and provide insights into the linguistic heritage of different communities. The book covers various semantic fields, including plant names, kinship terms, animal names, and more. By examining these fields, researchers can uncover patterns of meaning and cultural significance. The authors engage in linguistic reconstruction, attempting to trace back to the Proto-Austronesian language. This involves comparing lexical items and phonological features to infer the ancestral forms.