Projects per year
Abstract
This research provides a systematic reconstruction of nine botanical names from the Papuan languages spoken on Alor Island. Although genealogical links among the Papuan Timor–Alor–Pantar languages have been previously investigated, linguistic micro-studies of the hypothesized ‘shared’ ancestor languages within languages of the individual islands remain sparse. This study has three main aims: Firstly, to provide etymological reconstructions of Alor–Pantar Papuan words on a micro-level, focusing on Alor Island and specifically on plant names, which represent a cornerstone of Alor culture and history. Adopting the Comparative Method comparing cognates of 15 local languages, this research postulates historical phonetic shifts and language alignment phenomena and proposes proto-forms of the words in proto-Alor. Secondly, to shed light on possible prehistoric language contact and settlement patterns. A key finding suggests that the initial consonantal shifts *b > b > f > p in the languages is a probable loanword feature originating from the Austronesians. The geographical spread could indicate the influence of external trade and/or settlement patterns within the Papuan populations. Lastly, to provide a backbone for future etymological research on Papuan languages in Alor (and beyond) by mapping out aspects of language origins and phonetic influences and establish features of the shared proto-language(s).
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 575-597 |
Number of pages | 23 |
Journal | Histories |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 17 Dec 2024 |
Keywords
- Historical Linguistics
- Etymology
- Ethnobotany
- Language Documentation
- Field Linguistics
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Mapping the Languages of Indigenous Clans in the Eastern Spice Islands
1/04/24 → 30/11/25
Project: Governmental Research Project
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Place Names and Cultural Identity: Toponyms and Their Diachronic Evolution among the Kula People from Alor Island
1/01/24 → 31/12/25
Project: Internal Research Project
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Polyglot Medical Heritage in Maritime Southeast Asia: Foundational Resources and Digital Tools
STANLEY-BAKER, M., PERONO CACCIAFOCO, F. & ZAKARIA, F.
1/01/20 → 31/12/22
Project: Collaborative Research Project
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Abui Botanical Dataset: Healing Plants
WU, S. & PERONO CACCIAFOCO, F., 7 May 2024, 12 p. Amsterdam, The Netherlands : Elsevier Inc.Research output: Other contribution › peer-review
Open Access -
Medical Ethnolinguistics
PERONO CACCIAFOCO, F., XU, D. & TAN, Z. X., 13 May 2024, Palgrave Encyclopedia of the Health Humanities. CRAWFORD, P. & KADETZ, P. (eds.). 1 ed. Berlin, Germany: Springer Nature, Vol. 1. p. 1-6 6 p. (Living Reference).Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Open Access -
Polyglot Asian Medicines: Foundational Resources and Digital Tools
STANLEY-BAKER, M., PERONO CACCIAFOCO, F. & ZAKARIA, F., 2 Aug 2022, 23 p. Singapore : Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.Research output: Other contribution › peer-review
Open Access
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School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Organisational unit)
Francesco PERONO CACCIAFOCO (Member)
2 Sept 2024 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of committee
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Place-names and Cultural Identity: Toponyms and Their Diachronic Evolution among the Abui People from Alor
Francesco PERONO CACCIAFOCO (Speaker)
23 Aug 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation at conference/workshop/seminar