Abstract
A comparison of the absolute coordinates used in space reference by sixteen Austronesian languages makes it possible to propose a hypothesis regarding the geocentric system of Proto-Oceanic: on land, one up-down axis defined by the declivity of the ground; at sea, a second up-down axis motivated by the prevailing trade winds. After reconstructing the system of Proto-Oceanic, we model the principal paths of evolution that derived from it historically and led to the diverse systems attested in modern Oceanic languages.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-31 |
| Number of pages | 31 |
| Journal | Oceanic Linguistics |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2004 |
| Externally published | Yes |