[PapuanLanguages] object specific eat verbs in Papuan languages

[Antoinette Schapper]

Dear Papuanists,

I am looking for examples of ‘eat’ verbs in Papuan languages lexically specified for the object eaten. This is well-known in Oceanic languages, but appears to be unusual in Papuan languages.

Where this is found, the most common pattern is for there to be a contrast between ‘eat meat’ and ‘eat non-meat food’. This is found in Kwerba, Orya, and Ngkolmpu. Possibly others?

In East Papuan area languages, there appears to be other distinctions in ‘eat’ verbs. For example, Buin has a contrast between ‘eat protein foods, sugarcane, persons’ and ‘eat starchy foods’. Or, Bilua which has ‘eat meat or fish alone, without any soft food’ and ‘eat (generic)’.

If anyone knows of other Papuan languages with ‘eat’ verbs lexically specified for the object eaten, I would be very glad to hear about it.

Thanks,

Antoinette

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