Guerin, Valerie, and Alvanoudi, Angeliki (2022) The Role of ale in Mavea Narratives. Oceanic Linguistics, 61 (1). pp. 185-211.

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe the functions of the Bislama discourse marker ale in Mavea narratives. We concentrate on a single narrative genre, oral personal histories, and on a single slot, clause initial position, to show that ale is a textual marker with at least four distinct discourse structuring functions. It is used to signal temporal sequence between events or actions. It closes off a digression and signals a return to the main narrative line. It indexes a change of footing as it closes off direct speech in the narrative. It highlights participants of thematic importance in the story. As ale is used alongside vernacular discourse markers with similar functions, the paper concludes with the social aspects of pragmatic borrowing in a contact situation in Vanuatu.

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