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A grammar of Lavukaleve: a Papuan language of the Solomon Islands Angela Terrill December 1999
A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the Australian National University
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Except where otherwise acknowledged, this thesis is entirely my own work.
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For small erections may be finished by their first architects; grand ones, true ones, ever leave the copestone to posterity. God keep me from ever completing anything. This whole book is but a draught - nay, but the draught of a draught. Oh, Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience! Herman Melville Moby Dick
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Acknowledgements My primary debt is to the many Lavukaleve speakers who made the effort to talk to me and teach me their language. IÕm only sorry I was such a slow learner. It was the people of the West Russells, and Mane Village in particular, who made this work possible, by letting me live with them and making the effort to talk with me, even though I was clearly a freak and possibly dangerous. Especially important were Chief Nicholas Sobo, his wife Fane Navo, and two of their daughters, Marion Kuu and Nesta Kelavi. Fane Novo overcame her shyness to be one of my few monolingual teachers. Marion and Nesta often fed me, particularly in the beginning, and Marion kept me company for the first few months when everyone else was too afraid to talk to me. My neighbours Emily Mavaua and Colin Pawa also kept an eye on me, and the kids, especially Maureen and her gang of little girls were brilliant teachers. But my biggest helpers were Patterson Barua, and his wife Monica Felakoe Elufua, and daughter Christa Kanefa. Patterson in particular taught me almost everything I know about Lavukaleve, and everything I know about doing linguistics in the field. Monica fed me and looked after me and made sure I was never in want of anything she could provide, and Christa carried buckets of water. In a village with no water supply, this is no small favour. Also the people of Baesen, my other home, deserve my thanks, in particular the former headmaster of Flahaba School, Stanley Sade, and also Chief Clement Savaka, Nancy, Emily Fofokolin and Dora Iho and her husband, and their mother Salome Vavara, who welcomed me into their homes when I first arrived in the Russells. Their warmth and friendliness helped me through many a hard day. Also the people of Losiolen, Hae, Louna, Alokan and particularly Karumulun who talked to me, especially Chief Raymond Kolo, Julian Beglin, Janet Tokilo and Hilda Bungu. Also my other family in Yandina, Ben Rabe and Hannah Kuatavea, and in Honiara, Anne Sade and her family. I am particularly grateful to Hannah for looking after me whenever I was waiting in Yandina for transport, which happened a lot, and to Ben for letting me make free with his canoe. And of course, thank you to Michael Boliko, and also Addeson and Niko for driving me round in BenÕs canoe any time I wanted, providing me with much interesting entertainment on the way. v
Also thank you to the people who told me the stories which provided the data for this thesis. It is trite to say that without these people there would have been no thesis, but nevertheless, each one of them made the effort to tell a story to the foreigner with the machine, and this is gratefully acknowledged. Those who havenÕt already been mentioned are: Abel Moran, Ann Onutu, Christian Hill, Clement Oiva, Edward Getu, Ethel Mary Kanefa, Frank Koau, Georgina Makikifaria, Honiara Resman, James Nepolo, John Hubert, John Nate, Kilaev Gulum, Matthew Ngele, Donald Ofiva, Melchior Pitu, Mase Toto, Laurence Soitam, Sarah Kiko, Edwin Vefele, Wilson Ngara, William Fox, and especially Mostin Nekuiga, whose willingness to tell stories about giants was exceeded only by my willingness to record them. Certain other people who were in Honiara at one time or another also receive my thanks, includ