several words/comments

[BURTON John]

Craig ...

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".

[John Burton] You might keep an ear out for "langlang". I saw this in some
Health Dept. literature warning about the risks of flies spreading germs.
However, I have never heard "langlang" personally.

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?

[John Burton] The "gable of a house" is a sense moved across from Mihalic. I
would like to know who says it. Door, as you say, is a much more likely
candidate in New Ireland, and it's likely to be mata-something in local
languages.

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?

[John Burton] That's a good one! My first observation is that I had not been
aware of ever seeing clover in PNG. However, if that's what folk say ..
Let's confirm it.

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.

[John Burton] Good one.

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.

[John Burton] Good one.

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.

[John Burton] Good one.

Craig Volker

***************************
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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