Absolute frames of spatial reference in Austronesia languages

The first type of classification results in a discrete division of languages with absolute frames of spatial reference, the third type of classification introduces a scalar ordering of the phenomena (mentioned in 2. above) based on their dependence or independence of their immediate environment. This allows, of course, for a multiple classification of languages with absolute systems. However, Wegener requires that the respective motives for the typological classification of such a language are made explicit.

3. CONCLUDING REMARKS

In her study Claudia Wegener first classified different types of absolute systems for spatial reference based on their usage and then developed three approaches towards a typological classification of these systems. She points out

¦ that the different characteristic features of the coordinate systems that constitute these absolute frames of reference,

¦ that social and especially environmental phenomena that are basic and motivating for these reference axes (like local height, course of rivers, boundary between land and sea, the path of the sun, sea currents and wind directions),

¦ and that the degree of dependence of the absolute frames of reference on immediate environmental phenomena

are fundamental for developing such a typology. In his 2002 paper Bill Palmer also emphasized that his survey on absolute spatial frames of reference in Oceanic languages reveals that features of the physical world motivate these linguistic systems; he concludes that therefore perceptual input can determine linguistic structure.

Studies like the ones by Cablitz (2002; 2006), Francois (2003; 2010) and Chambers (2009) indicate that approaches to a linguistic typology of absolute systems also have to take into account that spatial references of speakers who have more complex geocentric systems available in their language -- that is the speakers actual utterances -- are anchored in the overall pragmatic context in which these utterances are produced. The understanding of the pragmatic context in which a geocentric system operates is fundamental for providing an adequate account of the semantics of the system.

This illustrates again that researching the interface between the semantics and pragmatics of geocentric systems in Austronesian languages forces us to frame our research within the complex interface between language, culture and cognition. This requires multidisciplinary approaches involving linguistics, anthropology and the cognitive sciences.

I would like to end this survey on space research in Austronesian languages with a personal remark: In her contribution to Giovanni Bennardo's (2002) anthology “Representing Space in Oceania” Janet D. Keller (2002: 250) kindly acknowledged the influence the research program of the Cognitive Anthropology Research Group and my anthology “Referring to Space: Studies in Austronesian and Papuan Languages'" (Senft: 1997a) had on space research especially in Oceanic languages. As one of the first members of Stephen Levinson's research team I cannot suppress some pride in realising that our research program not only contributed to initiate innovative interdisciplinary approaches to the research of spatial reference, spatial representations and conceptualizations in natural languages, but that we also managed to help set up a framework for researching the relationship between language, culture and cognition within this fundamental domain.

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