Expression of Information Structure in Mawng: Intonation and Focus1

Many Australian languages have relatively free word order and the main function of word order is the encoding of information structure. This generalization also applies to Mawng, a non-Pama Nyungan language of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Demonstratives are also used to encode the information status of a referent. In addition, intonation clearly plays a role. Work on Mawng intonation is at a very early stage but some characteristic patterns have been identified, which are associated with particular sentence types. In these three ways Mawng fits in with our general understanding of the way that information is expressed in Australian languages