ABSTRACT
The Munda family of languages constitutes the westernmost branch of the Austroasiatic language phylum. Expressives form a parallel lexical/semantic system with their own characteristic set of iconic, sound symbolic or phonesthematic phonological oppositions and alternations in Munda languages. They appear in a wide range of formal configurations or constructions, which vary both within and across languages. Formally speaking, expressives in Munda languages are typically marked by reduplication, including both total and partial reduplication patterns, total reduplication in combination with infixation or prefixation, as well as complex reduplication patterns with consonant or vowel replacement. This chapter discusses formal patterns of expressive formations and their varied functions and morphosyntax attested in Munda languages. It examines the formal patterns of expressive formation and offers comments on the semantics of expressive forms in the Munda languages. The chapter also presents morphological and syntactic characteristics of the Munda languages.
