Lexicalisation of the Spectral Domain: An Investigation Into the Semantic Roots of Colour Categorisation

Abstract

This study was conducted to address issues related to understanding the lexical evolution of the ancient Pahang Malay dialect, specifically within the colour domain. In this regard, to the researcher unravels the complexities of semantic extension, phonological shifts, and increasingly obscure etymological lineages. To address these complexities, data collection and reconstructive analysis were conducted based on the framework proposed by Crowley and Bowern (2010) as a guide for the formation of the ancient lexicon. To verify these ancient lexical lineages, the etymological and semantic framework developed by Nothofer (2013) was utilised. The reconstruction of the ancient lexicon was based on synchronic data collected from nine locations along the Pahang River. Field interviews were conducted using a questionnaire containing a list of 400 words to obtain local pronunciations forms. Of the 400 lexical items collected, 10 words belonging to the colour domain were selected for discussion in this paper. The primary findings reveal the existence of a colour lexicon shaped by two main processes, namely internal innovation and external linguistic contact. These processes involve interactions with the Intra-Austronesian, Indo-European, and Persian language families. In addition, certain individual variants were found to preserve the labelling of secondary colour spectra by associating them with primary colours. Most notably and contrary to conventional assumptions, ancient colour lexicons that are genetically affiliated with the Malayic language family were found to encompass colours beyond the basic colour categories. In conclusion, these findings provide clear evidence of the dynamism inherent in the lexicon of the Pahang Malay dialect. This dialect continuously adapts through borrowing, complete inheritance, and root-word modification to create new meanings, thereby fulfilling the need for more refined terminology within the colour spectrum.

Keywords: Proto Pahang Malay dialect, lexical evolution, colour lexicon, proto-lexical reconstruction, semantic expansion, linguistic contact