Kankanaey: A Role and Reference Grammar Analysis

Describing an Austronesian language of the northern Philippines, this volume breaks new ground by analyzing the ergative grammar of Kankanaey within the framework of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG). The topics range from word formation to phrases, clauses, and sentences. At each of these levels, the analysis covers constituent structure as well as modifiers ("operators" in RRG). The semantic structure that underlies Kankanaey surface structure is explored; connections are traced between that semantic structure and both nominal case marking and verbal voice marking. Information structure (topics and focus on new information) affects clause and sentence constructions, and RRG is shown to be a useful model in integrating this aspect of grammar into a holistic description. This volume should serve as a reference and model for those who would like to use RRG theory to inform their own language research."... presents a rich and insightful description of the morphosyntax of this previously undescribed language, and it illustrates well the value of Role and Reference Grammar as a framework for grammatical description. It is a significant contribution to the study of Philippine languages."Robert D. Van Valin, Jr., Heinrich-Heine University, DüsseldorfJanet Allen and her family lived in various Kankanaey-speaking communities under the auspices of SIL Philippines between 1975 and 1996. She received a Ph.D. in linguistics from Heinrich-Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany in 2011, and is currently on the faculty of the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics in Dallas, Texas.