Core-layer junctures in Saliba Anna Margetts Abstract Verb serialization is a well-known feature of Oceanic languages and commonly two types, nuclear vs core-layer serialization, are distinguished. In Saliba, an Oceanic language of Papua New Guinea, nuclear-layer serialization constructions are well attested and a number of subtypes can be distinguished. The existence of core-layer serialization is less obvious. In this paper I investigate whether the language also has core-layer serial verbs and I address some of the problems in defining such constructions. 1. Introduction Verb serialization is a well-known feature of many Oceanic languages and commonly two types, nuclear and core-layer serialization, are distin- guished. While structurally different, both types are documented to express similar kinds of functions across languages. Individual languages may show both types of constructions, such as Paamese discussed by Crowley (1987). In Saliba, an Oceanic language of Papua New Guinea, we find that nuclear-layer serial verbs are a prominent feature of the grammar (cf. Mosel 1994, Margetts 1999). They are very frequent and a number of different subtypes can be distinguished. The existence of core-layer serial constructions is less evident in Saliba and previous accounts make no reference to them. The question is whether there are no core-layer serial verbs in the language or whether they are just less prominent or simply less easily identified. In this paper I investigate whether Saliba does have core- layer serialization and I discuss a number of problems one encounters when addressing this question. Brill, I. & F. Ozanne-Rivierre (eds.). 2004. Complex verbs and serialization in Oceanic languages Berlin, New York, and Amsterdam, Mouton de Gruiter.