Reviewed by Michael W. Morgan, Indira Gandhi National Open University

Although Madurese is Indonesia’s fourth most-widely spoken language (after Indonesian, Javanese, and Sundanese), it has been relatively underrepresented by descriptive studies. The current volume is the first complete reference grammar of Madurese and contains the most detailed description of its syntax to date. While previous descriptions focused primarily on Eastern Madurese (the prestige dialect of Sumenep), this volume deals predominantly with Western (Bangkalan) Madurese.

The grammar begins with phonology (11–60). Compared to neighboring languages, Madurese has a relatively large stop system, with five places of articulation (shared only by Javanese among closely-related languages) and a three-way voicing/aspiration system (setting it apart even from Javanese). Also of interest is the system of vowel harmony, conditioned by the voicing/aspiration of the preceding consonant. This section also discusses the various orthographies.

In the discussion of lexical categories (61–95), D argues that while the categories of verb and noun are relevant to Madurese, one must posit precategorial roots whose categorial status is determined once morphological processes are applied, e.g. the root/noun kaca ‘mirror’ gives ngaca ‘look in mirror’ with the prefix ng– for actor voice. Madurese morphology (97–128) consists primarily of affixation (including a small number of nonproductive infixes) and compounding. The important morphological process of reduplication is treated separately (129–48) with final-syllable reduplication (for which Madurese is well known in phonological circles) the most common.

Unsurprisingly, the bulk of the grammar is devoted to syntax (149–467). In addition to its value as a synchronic reference grammar, this work includes important comparative discussions. Illuminating comparisons of morphosyntax are frequently drawn in areas in which Madurese differs from its related neighbors (e.g. a second actor voice prefix a– in addition to shared ng-, and a lesser causative role for the applicative suffix –agi due to the presence of a dedicated causative prefix pa-). Also, presentation of sound correspondences with Indonesian and Javanese and occasional indications of dialect differences within Madurese itself (on all levels of the language from phonology to syntax) add to the value of the work to comparativists.

The discussion of speech levels (469–89) is of great interest, particularly concerning their use and variation in speech and writing. The book closes with four interesting texts (491–568), three traditional tales and a description of traditional Madurese bull races.

The normal admonition not to judge a book by its cover should be modified to urge the reader not to judge this book by its first page; the first four lines should be ignored (they occur lower on the page in their proper place), as should the fourteenth and start of the fifteenth line (which are from page 97!). That aside, this is a superb work that deserves a place on the shelf of everyone interested in Madurese and the languages of Java and Indonesia generally, and it should be of equal interest to Austronesianists and typologists.