The functions and origins of some applicatives in Nalögo and Natügu

Abstract

Oceanic languages are known for exhibiting a wide range of valency-changing devices. In many languages, these devices are reflexes of Proto-Oceanic derivational morphology, such as the transitivizer *-i, the applicative *akin[i], and the causative *pa[ka]-. While several studies have focused on the reflexes of the Proto-Oceanic affixes, little attention has been paid to language-specific valency-changing devices. In this paper, we analyze the functions and the grammaticalization pathways of several applicatives in two Reefs-Santa Cruz Oceanic languages — Nalögo and Natügu — focusing on those developing from verbs, oblique pronouns, and spatial markers. While verbs are commonly attested as cross-linguistic sources for applicatives, oblique pronouns and spatial markers are less common.