The Kava Lounge Part 2 - Terry Crowley

Crowley, Terry. 1995. “The National Drink and the National Language in Vanuatu.” Journal Of the Polynesian Society 104 (1): 7–22.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/20706599.

 

In this episode, we discuss Dr. Terry Crowley, a significant figure in linguistics, particularly in relation to Vanuatu. Crowley was born in 1953 in Essex and completed his doctoral thesis on Vanuatu languages at the National Australian University. He had a profound interest in the Bislama and Creole languages of Vanuatu and worked in the Department of Languages at the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. Later, Crowley became the director of the Pacific Languages Unit at the University of South Pacific in Port Villa, Vanuatu, and eventually a professor of linguistics at Waikato University, New Zealand.

Crowley's work included 21 books and over 70 journal articles, focusing on various languages from the Australian and Austronesian Oceanic language families, along with Bislama and K Creole. He played a significant role in standardizing the Bislama dialect and was involved in linguistic development projects in Melanesia.

The podcast delves into Crowley's impact on Vanuatu's linguistic scene, his contributions to the standardization of the Bislama language, and his efforts in promoting literacy and education in the Pacific region. It also covers the socio-linguistic aspects of his work, including the impact of languages like English and French on local languages in Vanuatu, particularly in the context of independence and national identity.

Significantly, the podcast highlights the cultural and social aspects of kava in Vanuatu. Discussions include the traditional and modern practices of kava drinking, the evolution of kava bars (nakamals), and the role of kava in Vanuatu's national identity. The hosts also touch upon the linguistic innovations related to kava in the Bislama language, illustrating how language evolves with cultural practices. 

Overall, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of Dr. Terry Crowley's life, his academic and linguistic contributions, and the cultural significance of kava in Vanuatu, along with its linguistic reflections in the Bislama language.

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