Perception verbs in context: Perspectives from Kaluli (Bosavi) child-caregiver interaction

Lila San Roque, Bambi B Schieffelin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Perceptual language is a rich site of polysemous meaning and pragmatic extension. In this chapter, we explore the question of how children learning a language come to grips with this complexity, focusing on basic perception verbs as used in child-caregiver interaction in the language Bosavi, spoken in Papua New Guinea. We discuss creative and routinised instances of perception verb use in these interactions, and comment on connections to recognised cross-linguistic patterns of polysemy. Finally, we suggest ways that Christian missionisation and literacy practices may have influenced shifting uses of the language of sight and audition in the Bosavi context.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPerception Metaphors
EditorsLaura J Speed, Carolyn O'Meara, Lila San Roque, Asifa Majid
Place of PublicationAmsterdam/Philadelphia
PublisherJohn Benjamins Publishing Company
Chapter17
Pages347-368
ISBN (Electronic)9789027263049
ISBN (Print)9789027202000
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameConverging Evidence in Language and Communication Research (CELCR)
PublisherJohn Benjamins
Volume19
ISSN (Print)1566-7774

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