This thesis builds on van Engelenhoven’s (2014) observation that ‘speaking’ Indies Dutch language varieties in the Netherlands no longer arises from multilingual competence, but rather from...Show moreThis thesis builds on van Engelenhoven’s (2014) observation that ‘speaking’ Indies Dutch language varieties in the Netherlands no longer arises from multilingual competence, but rather from linguistic folklore. It takes into account the effect of postcolonial memory-making (Pattynama, 2013) and colonial power dynamics on Indo-Dutch heritage (van Leeuwen, 2008) and explores to what extent these forces have affected Indies Dutch linguistic folklore. Semi-structured interviews with six second generation Indo-Dutch respondents revealed that Indies Dutch linguistic folklore consists of a holistic set of linguistic, paralinguistic and cultural markers that arise primarily from one’s familial and cultural background.Show less
This thesis consists of a phonological description of the Yamalero language, based on primary data. Yamalero is a Guahiban language spoken by some 300 people in the Colombian Eastern Plains. Some...Show moreThis thesis consists of a phonological description of the Yamalero language, based on primary data. Yamalero is a Guahiban language spoken by some 300 people in the Colombian Eastern Plains. Some of these speakers are ethnic Yaruro, who had been reported to speak Yaruro (Pumé), but this thesis shows that none of them is able to use this language any more. Yamalero is a virtually undocumented language, since the only materials available before the publication of this phonological description were a 31 terms wordlist. This enabled the classification of Yamalero within the Cuiba-Sikuani language continuum. This thesis shows some features of the Yamalero phonology that are closer to Sikuani, such as the process of lenition of aspirated plosives, and others that are closer to Cuiba, such as the presence of consonantic codas. When appropriate, it also shows its resemblances to other genetically unrelated languages in the area, such as Saliba, Piapoco, Achagua or Puinave. This phonological description contributes to the study of Guahiban languages, on which very little research has been published in the last 20 years, as well as to the study of the languages between the Amazonia and the Andean foothills.Show less
