[PapuanLanguages] New SIL PNG publication: Nukna Grammar Sketch

[René van den Berg]

SIL-Papua New Guinea is happy to announce the publication of the following
book.

Nukna Grammar Sketch by Matthew A. Taylor (Data Papers on Papua New Guinea
Languages,  volume 61). 2015. Ukarumpa: SIL. xiii + 299 pages.

Nukna is a Finisterre-Huon language (part of the large Trans New Guinea
family), spoken by some 1,000 people on the northern side of the Saruwaged
Mountains in Morobe Province. 

 

Nukna shows many characteristics typical of Papuan languages. Default word
order is SOV, but this order can vary for pragmatic reasons. A
nominative-accusative pattern is found in the cross-indexing of subject and
object on verbs. Postpositions and modifiers follow their head nouns. Verbs
are obligatorily marked for singular, dual or plural number, and are also
marked for person, tense, aspect, mood and modality through various
strategies including verb suffixation, serial verb constructions and clausal
particles. Nukna clause structure is characterised by frequent use of
clause-chaining, with a distinction between medial and final verbs as well
as anticipatory switch-reference. Serial verb constructions are common.

 

An unsual feature of Nukna is an optional evidential suffix on verbs to
indicate that an action was heard or smelt, but not seen. It can also
indicate that what is being communicated is second-hand information.

  

The grammar, which is the first description of this language, is based on
more than ten years of interaction with speakers of Nukna. It is thoroughly
data-driven and includes appendices with the traditional number system, a
list of kinship terms and two interlinearised texts. 

Paper copies will come off the press shortly and can be obtained from
lr-webpub at sil.org.pg. The estimated price is around US$30 (excluding
postage).

 

A pdf version of the book is available at:
www-01.sil.org/pacific/png/show_work.asp?id=928474564222