Noun phrase complexity and contiguity in a Papuan language

Abstract This article considers NP complexity and discontinuity in the Papuan language Coastal Marind. First, I give an overview of structure language, which is characterized by extremely limited possibility elaboration modification. connect this to observation that languages are exceptionally simple structures. The lack research makes it difficult evaluate significance such observations, but suggest Marind example a imposes very strict upper boundaries on complexity. Second, while argument could be made NPs allow considerable discontinuity, more thorough consideration facts reveals fundamental, tight-knit, left-branching structure, contrasts with relatively rarely employed looser nominal configurations, including discontinuous expressions. construals restricted primarily information structure. Although considered grammatical speakers, they rare corpus data. propose aboutness important factor constraining choice construal types discourse.