Harkins, Jean (1986). Semantics and the language learner: Warlpiri particles. Journal of Pragmatics, 10(5), 559-574. DOI: 10.1016/0378-2166(86)90014-7
Particles in Australian Aboriginal languages play a crucial role in conveying complex semantic and pragmatic information, posing some seemingly intractable problems for both the descriptive linguist and the language learner. Looking at some Warlpiri particles used for disclaiming authorship, expressing certainty, casting doubt, limiting an assertion, and suggesting something different, this paper attempts to show how a careful semantic analysis might lead to the formulation of descriptions sufficiently clear and explicit to be of practical use. It is argued that hypotheses as to meaning must be stated explicitly in order that they may be verified, or modified as necessary.
