Framework Methodology and framework

10 A GRAMMAR OF THE MUNA LANGUAGE written thus far were checked and more information was collected on obscure or difficult points. This grammatical description of Muna is based on the speech variety in kecamatan Katobu to which Raha belongs, as this was the area where we lived. Our main language helpers, Laode Abdul Fattah and Hanafi BA, were both natives of Katobu born in Loghia and Watuputi respectively. The speech in Katobu is a subdialect of standard Muna, and where it deviates from subdialects spoken in Tongkuno, Kabawo and Lawa, I have tried to indicate this.

1.3.2. Framework

This grammar is an attempt to provide a comprehensive view of the structure of Muna from phonology through morphology to syntax. In other words, it is a descriptive grammar and therefore full of data. As a corollary, theoretical discussions are kept to a minimum, although this obviously does not imply that no theoretical decisions have been taken. What I have tried to avoid is the use of terms and notations of a particular theoretical school of linguistics in my description of the grammar of Muna. This grammar stands squarely in the structuralist tradition in which language form is the basis of the description, subsequently related to meaning. I have also drawn on insights from the functional-typological approach to language, which will be apparent in many cases. The comprehensiveness of this grammar must necessarily lead to a certain shallowness. This will be clear on many pages. When I think that the description is simplistic or cannot account for all the facts, I have indicated this. On three points I have had to make concessions on what I see as an ideal descriptive grammar. Firstly, no acoustic analysis of the phonemes is given. Secondly, intonation is largely ignored except when clearly contrastive. Thirdly, the vast area of affix-combinations is only minimally touched upon. Hopefully the future will leave time for myself or someone else to fill these gaps. This grammar has been written with two kinds of readers in mind. First, it is intended for linguists working in the Austronesian language family and more specifically Western Malayo-Polynesian or Sulawesi. Second, theoretical and typological linguists may welcome another exotic language. I hope that I have done the Muna language sufficient justice in this de- scription, without forcing my own views on it. And I express the hope that it will be the means of communication on the island of Muna for many generations to come. Wa Kandiida muttering a charm nebasa dhoa Small traditional house in Mabodo lambu karubu Playing the gong dopombololo Processing cashew nuts dhambu sera The road to Loghia o kabhongka The village of Mone in Gu liwuno Mone Wa Tini in her kitchen negau Cave drawings in Liangkobori Chapter 2 Phonology This chapter describes the sound system of the Muna language. The emphasis is on the basic sound structures of the language, such as phonemes, syllable structure, stress and phonotactics. Two observations must be made concerning the scope of the description given here. First, the phonetic description in 2.1 of the consonants and vowels is necessarily impressionistic. The unavailability of Muna speakers in the Netherlands and relatively simple recording techniques made high quality acoustic descriptions impossible. Second, this description is conservative in that no attempt is made to relate the facts to current phonological theories. Hence one will not find formalized rules or analyses of the facts in the words and notations of a particular school of phonology for instance, distinctive feature matrix, autosegmental tiers. What is presented here is meant to be an adequate description of the relevant facts. In 2.1 the phoneme inventory of Muna is given, with subsequent phonetic descriptions and examples. In addition to a list of words showing phonemic oppositions 2.2, a table with phoneme frequencies is presented 2.3. In 2.4 syllable and root structure is discussed, followed by a treatment of stress 2.5 and vowel sequences 2.6. In 2.7 the phonotactics of the simple root are discussed, followed by a section on morphophonemics 2.8. Finally, 2.9 illustrates the phonological adaptations of loanwords.

2.1. Phonemes: inventory and description