The Phonological Basis of Syntactic Change in Kerinci

Abstract

Kerinci (a group of related Malayic isolects) developed agreement-like registration of nominal complements—realized phonologically as ablaut: for example, bantɨ 'pillow' (basic form) versus bantʌn (secondary form). As we showed in earlier work, this new morphology led to radical changes in Kerinci grammar: for example, the occurrence of morphologically licensed null pronouns, which allow apparent extraction from island environments. What has, until now, remained mysterious is how Kerinci became so different from other Malayic languages.