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  • A grammar of Kwaza by Hein van der Voort
  • Edward J. Vajda
A grammar of Kwaza. By Hein van der Voort. (Mouton grammar library 29.) Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 2004. Pp. xxxviii, 1,026. ISBN 3110178699. $207 (Hb).

The ‘Mouton grammar library’ series has now grown to over thirty volumes, which together offer original descriptions of a diverse collection of languages, many previously lacking any similarly authoritative treatment. This fundamental account of Kwaza, an unclassified language spoken by twenty-five people in a remote area of Brazil’s state of Rondônia, makes a superb addition in every way. Based primarily on the author’s extensive fieldwork from 1995 to 2002, it contains a thorough analysis of all aspects of the phonology, morphology, and syntax. It also provides useful commentary on varied aspects of the speakers’ culture and history, likewise hitherto barely remarked upon in any publication. Before the author’s work, documentation of this critically endangered language was limited to three brief word lists compiled in 1938, 1943, and 1984—data the author carefully takes into account (28–44). Kwaza is the speakers’ self-designation. In previous literature, the language was usually referred to as Koaia.

Elements of Kwaza linguistic structure of potential interest to general typologists or anyone hoping to clarify the history of areal contact and genetic affiliation among Amazonian languages are too numerous to cover here. One feature deserving of special mention is the elaborate system of classifiers (128–80) that figures importantly in deverbal nominalization, anaphoric reference, and argument incorporation. [End Page 473] These morphemes are also pivotal to understanding how demonstratives and numerals are used, and therefore are discussed first. In general, the author’s sequential presentation of topics thoughtfully reflects the language’s own system-internal logic instead of following a stereotyped ordering.

The sections on subordination and coordination techniques are particularly detailed (605–714). The chapter on verb phrase structure (243–484) contains a wealth of examples providing a clear picture of the complex system of tense-mood-aspect marking, person cross-reference, and valence-changing derivation. The general thoroughness of this grammar is also attested by the presence of separate sections on such topics as intonation (74–75), color terms (716–18), ideophones (734–38), kinship terms and brother-sister terminology (720–24), children’s language (715), and even vocabulary used for naming dogs (732–33). To produce over a thousand pages of meticulous description of a previously undocumented language isolate that was listed as ‘possibly extinct’ as recently as 1997 (Lyle Campbell, American Indian languages, Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 198) is an impressive achievement. This volume poignantly attests to the fine work that can and should be done in recording the world’s disappearing languages.

In addition to its masterful description of the grammar, this book contains an important collection of lexical and folkloric data. There is an extensive Kwaza/English dictionary (815–967) explaining numerous unique terms for local plants, animals, and cultural realia. Many entries offer possible etymologies for select morphemes. A briefer English/Kwaza word list follows (968–96). There is also a large collection of original native texts and traditional songs (739–816). Five tales and six songs are recorded on a CD affixed to the inside back cover. The inclusion of audio recordings is a highly welcome feature, and one that perhaps should become standard for all volumes of this series.

Edward J. Vajda
Western Washington University/Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
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