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Description of a Non-western Language III: Leti

Vak
2024-2025

Admission requirements

The course and its exam(s) are open to students who passed the propaedeutic requirements.

Description

Leti is an Austronesian language spoken in Southwest Maluku (East Indonesia) with about 7000 speakers. Genetically and typologically it is an East Timorese language. Its complex systems of metathesis and deictics distinguish the language from its surrounding neighbours. The most important features of the Leti grammatica are discussed in order to get an idea of the genetic and typological diversity of the region. Additionally important elements from its oral tradition are discussed: lexical parallelism, narrative topology and singing language.

Course objectives

  • Introduction into the grammar of Leti;

  • Understanding of the semantics of metathesis;

  • Introduction southwest Malukan oral traditions;

  • Insight on oral narrativity.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Assessment method

Two written exams on an oral text, each weighing 50%.

Reading list

The class bases itself on Aone van Engelenhoven. 2004. Leti, a Language of Southwest Maluku. Leiden: Brill. Required readings will be made available through Brightspace.

Registration

Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Reuvensplaats

Remarks

This course provides an overview and introduction into Leti grammar and language use. It does not pretend to learn the student how to speak the language. The student is challenged to inquire the applicability and usefulness of certain linguistic terminology for this language.