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In:Constructing Collectivity: 'We' across languages and contexts
Edited by Theodossia-Soula Pavlidou
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 239] 2014
► pp. 105–132

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The pragmatics of first person non-singular pronouns in Norf’k

 | The University of Adelaide, Australia
Published online: 27 February 2014
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https://doi.org/10.1075/pbns.239.09muh
The Norf’k language of the descendants of the Mutiny of the Bounty has developed a complex inventory of pronouns and similarly complex rules for their use. The large size of the pronoun paradigm reflects both the cumulative nature of Norf’k grammar where constructions from Tahitian, English and St. Kitts Creole continue to co-exist and the specific human ecology in which the language developed. A rare property of first person non-singular pronouns is the distinction of pronouns that are used exclusively by and to refer to Bounty descendants. Another interesting property is the distinction between a large set of deictic pronouns and a much smaller set of anaphoric ones. The discussion draws on a large sample of naturalistic spoken and written texts as well as discussions with informants during 18 field visits. The findings differ from previous analyses and demonstrate the importance of extended participant observation and a rich database.
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Mühlhäusler, Peter & Joshua Nash
2025. Pitkern and Norf'k Languages, The Grammars of. In The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of World Englishes, ► pp. 1 ff. DOI logo
Pavlidou, Theodossia-Soula
2014. Constructing collectivity with ‘we’. In Constructing Collectivity [Pragmatics & Beyond New Series, 239], ► pp. 1 ff. DOI logo
Scheibman, Joanne
2014. Referentiality, predicate patterns, and functions of we-utterances in American English interactions. In Constructing Collectivity [Pragmatics & Beyond New Series, 239], ► pp. 23 ff. DOI logo

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