yumi/mipela

[David Counts]

Hi all:

In all my experience in WNB the 'yumi/mipela' distinction has divided along
precisely the lines described in mihalic -- that is, the inclusive/exclusive
distinction. _Yumi_ means 'we' (us, all of us) including theople being
addressed, no matter how many of them there are. For emphasis, sometimes one
will say "yumi olgeta...."  _Mipela_ always means to _exclude_  those to
whom the speech is directed, though that may not include everyone who hears
it. E.g., if my family and I are taking leave of a group of people, I might
say "mipela go long ples nau..." excluding from the "we" all thos who were
not going with us, whereas in the same situation the phrase "Yumi go long
ples nau..." would mean "let's go home now" addressed to those involved in
the going.

I should add that this usage among Lusi/Kove speakers on the northwest coast
of New Britain is exactly paralleled in the vernacular and in that respect
may be a particularly conservative 'rural' usage of terms that (in more
urban, sophosticated areas) are being pushed closer to standard Englih
usage.  Any thoughts?

David C