Māori : a linguistic introduction / Ray Harlow.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Harlow, Ray.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Māori language.

Physical Description:

xiv, 241 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, UK ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007.

Summary:

Maori, the indigenous language of New Zealand, has a number of interesting features in its structure. It is also an endangered, minority language, with an important role in the culture and identity of the Maori community. This comprehensive overview looks at all aspects of the Maori language: its history, its dialects, its sounds and grammar, its current status, and the efforts being made by the Maori community and the state to ensure its survival. Central chapters provide an overall sketch of the structure of Maori while highlighting those aspects which have been the subject of detailed linguistic analysis - particularly phonology (sound structure) and morphology (word structure), on which extensive linguistic work has been carried out. Though addressed primarily to those with some knowledge of linguistics, this book will interest anyone wishing to study the structure of a minority language, as well as those interested in endangered languages and their preservation.

Contents:

1 Maori literature and literature on Maori 5

2 A brief history of Maori 10

3 Regional variation in Maori 41

4 The phonology of Maori 62

5 The morphology of Maori 96

6 The syntax of Maori 135

7 The sociolinguistic situation of Maori 192.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 224-238) and index.

ISBN:

9780521808613

0521808618

OCLC:

76798219