several words/comments

[C A Volker]

Here are some interesting terms (not related in any way) that struck me
after going back to New Ireland the last couple months-


1. flai / lang:
The original Mihalic lists the insect "fly" as lang, and  says that "flai"
is only a verb. Lang is certainly used throughout the NG Islands, but last
month in New Ireland, a visiting Highlands friend said they use "flai" for
the insect. After he said this, I noticed many younger people in New Ireland
as well as a man from Buka also using "flai" or "flais" interchangeably with
"lang".

2. Ai bilong haus
 is described on the web page as " the gable of a house". But I've heard it
more as "door" in at least some parts of New Ireland. This is a direct
translation from Nalik (New Ireland) and, I think, many other Austronesian
languages. What would be the geographic uses of the two meanings?

3. klei
is used in Nalik  (New Ireland) for "clover". Some people claimed this was
Tok Pisin as well as tok ples, but I was unable to ask non-Nalik people
about this before leaving PNG last month. Does anyone know it from elsewhere
in the country?

4. filas
is a broad-leafed bush in New Ireland. The leaf burns the skin and when
mixed with dry coconuts scrapings and red ants, it is thrown into the reef
to attract a certain species of fish. I don't know the English or scientific
name of the plant.

5. kumbak
I've only heard this in the NGI, not on the mainland. It means an exhausting
guest or the fact that one is exhausted the day after having had company.
Often used as an excuse for being so tired.

6. doktapis / doktafis
A very small introduced species of fish that eats mosquito larvae and likes
to nibble on people's sores when they stand still in the water. I don't know
the English or scientific name.


Craig Volker

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よろしくお願いします。
岐阜聖徳学園大学助教授
クレイグ・フォルカー

Craig Volker, PhD
Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University
Gifu, Japan

volker at nalik.org
cell: JAPAN (81) (0)90-1721-1226
tel/fax: USA 1-206-338-2559
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