The Dynamics of Nominal Classification ― Productive and Lexicalised Uses of Gender Agreement in Mawng

This linguistics study of the Aboriginal Australian language Mawng draws on materials and recordings produced through the Warruwi School bilingual Mawng-English program (1973-1996). The study examines the unusual phenomenon of lexicalization of verbal agreement in Mawng, looking at the use of grammatical gender to construct referents in discourse, to mediate selectional restrictions, and to produce new expressions in Mawng. Analysis of grammatical gender in Mawng offers insights on the functions of nominal classification systems. Annotation c2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)

Ruth Singer, University of Melbourne, Australia.