Inside(r)-outside(r): Linguistics, Sociology, and the Microterritoriality of Maritime Space on Pitcairn Island

Purpose—This article investigates how the explicit and fixed inside-outside (landward-seaward) absolute spatial axis used to describe offshore space linguistically in the Pitcairn Island language, Pitcairn, can be applied metaphorically to a more implicit and flexible onshore social axis of insider-outsider in Pitcairn Island society. It merges studies of small-scale territoriality of linguistic and sociological space with an appreciation of land based versus maritime exchange around the island.

Design, Methodology, Approach—This study is founded in the findings of a three-month fieldtrip to Pitcairn Island in 2016 to collect linguistic, ethnographic, maritime-cultural, and sociological data. The results are based on over 50 hours of interviews with 18 mainly elderly members of the Pitcairn Island community.

Findings—Descriptions of grammaticalized space and offshore maritime territory in the Pitcairn Island language are stricter and less flexible than the more fluid insider-outsider consensus and management of micro social space and territory. An argument merging the role of the researcher-as-outsider interacting with informant-as-insider and real and perceived social threat is advanced.

Practical implications—This multidisciplinary research combines linguistic, sociological, and island studies outcomes with relevant territorial and maritime research debates. The spatiality of microterritoriality involving onshore and offshore locations is considered.