Substitutes and classifiers in Trukese

Abstract

The primary concerns of this study are the investigation of the forms and processes in Chuukese which correspond to definitions of 'substitutes’ and ’substitution', and of the nature of numeral and possessive classification in Chuukese Related concepts found in the work of later writers, are explored.The systems of numeral and possessive classification, perhaps among the most interesting aspects of Chuukese for speakers of Indo-European languages, are examined.The classifiers and classification systems are discussed in relation to each other, as well as to their functioning within the general process of substitution. Grammatical assumptions characterize the present study. Pronouns, demonstratives, pro-sentences, and other Chuukese 'substitutes' are examined.