====== Central Awyu ======

Timothy Usher, Santa Fe Institute

===== Situation =====
**[under construction]**\\
\\

The Central Awyu family is comprised of perhaps two languages spoken to either side of the Mappi River, from the Wildeman River in the west to the Digul in the east, in Indonesia's …

The best known member of Central Awyu is Drabbe's (1957) Aghu, … The term /*ɾaxu/ [aɣu] means “person” in all attested dialects.

===== Subclassification =====
The internal classification of Central Awyu is as follows:\\
\\

Central Awyu

Mappi River Awyu

Pasue River Awyu\\
\\

Mappi River is represented here by Drabbe's (1957) Aghu and by Digul Mappi of the Holle lists (Stokhof ed. 1982: 133-140); Pasue River by Kriens and Lebold's (2010) Taim, Nohon and Ketah. This division can only be tentative, as no data is available for the varieties spoken in the center of the Central Awyu region.\\
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Kriens and Lebold (2010: 26-27) provide lexical similarity figures between nine Central Awyu villages as follows:

|< - 70px 70px 70px 70px 70px 70px 70px 70px 70px 70px >|
|         |  Keta  |  Nohon  |  Taim  |  Kowo I  |  Sohokang.  |  Somi  |  Sufio  |  Yare  |  Ikisi  |
|Keta     |  ---   |   65    |   59   |    60    |     55      |   54   |   52    |   50   |   48    |
|Nohon    |   65   |   ---   |   78   |    69    |     67      |   59   |   59    |   57   |   54    |
|Taim     |   59   |   78    |  ---   |    69    |     64      |   55   |   65    |   62   |   57    |
|Kowo I   |   60   |   69    |   69   |   ---    |     71      |   61   |   68    |   63   |   64    |
|Sohokang.|   55   |   67    |   64   |    71    |     ---     |   74   |   53    |   54   |   57    |
|Somi     |   54   |   59    |   55   |    61    |     74      |  ---   |   52    |   49   |   53    |
|Sufio    |   52   |   59    |   65   |    68    |     53      |   52   |   ---   |   63   |   58    |
|Yare     |   50   |   57    |   62   |    63    |     54      |   49   |   63    |  ---   |   78    |
|Ikisi    |   48   |   54    |   57   |    64    |     57      |   53   |   58    |   78   |   ---   |

Of these, vocabularies are given for only Keta, Nohon and Taim (pp. 40-53.) As lexicostatistical figures are provided only for the villages at the western edge of Drabbe's Aghu range on the east bank of the Mappi River (q.v. 1957: vii,) it's probable that none of these precisely represents the variety which Drabbe documented, but it's reasonable to assume that this would continue this chain.

===== Sources =====
Drabbe (1957) grammar and (pp. 47-51) 401 comparative terms for Aghu (Mappi River)

Drabbe (1959: 162-181) 400 comparative terms for Aghu

Stokhof ed. (1982: 133-140) comparative vocabulary of Digul Mappi after van Doorn

Kriens and Lebold (2010: 40-53) 239 comparative terms for Awyu of Ketah, Nohon and Taim villages (Pasue River)

Wester (2014) Awyu-Dumut comparative morphology including (pp. 195-210) 430 comparative terms for Aghu after Drabbe (1959: 162-181)

===== Historical phonology =====
Proto Central Awyu had 14 to 18 consonants and 6 vowels as follows:

|< - 60px 60px 60px 60px 60px >|
|   *m    |   *n    |      |         |         |
|   *p    |   *t    |      |   *k    |         |
|   *b    |   *d    |      |   *g    |         |
|  [*mb]  |  [*nd]  |      |  [*ŋg]  |         |
|   *ɸ    |   *s    |      |   *x    |  [*xʷ]  |
|         |   *ɾ    |  *j  |         |   *w    |


|< - 60px 60px 60px >|
|  *i  |  *ʉ  |  *u  |
|  *ɛ  |      |  *ɔ  |
|      |  *a  |      |

The status of prenasalized stops /*mb *nd *ŋg/ depends upon whether they are to be analyzed as unit phonemes or as clusters.\\
\\

**[under construction]**\\
\\

These correspondences are exemplified as follows, with …\\
\\

Bilabial nasal /*m/ is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|                |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|                |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|                |***m**      |**m**      |**m**      |**m**      |**m**      |
|star/firefly    |*miN        |mĩ         |mi         |mi         |mi         |
|drink (realis)  |*mi[C]      |mi-k       |           |           |           |
|morning         |*mimiN      |mimĩ       |           |           |           |
|thigh           |*midiN      |midi       |           |           |           |
|stand           |*m[i]si-(ɛ) |           |ˌmisi'jɛ   |'misinɑ    |misinɑ     |
|forehead        |*mika       |mika       |           |           |           |
|swallow         |*mikuN      |mikũ-      |           |           |           |
|tendon          |*mɛ         |mɛ         |           |           |           |
|beard           |*mas[ʉ]     |masy       |           |           |           |
|stomach         |*madʉ       |mody       |məru       |           |           |
|back            |*mʉ         |my         |           |           |           |
|egg             |*mʉgɔ       |mygo       |mu'go      |muŋ'go     |mu'gɔʔ     |
|blunt/dull      |*mʉsV       |mysiã      |           |           |muʃu       |
|low/below       |*m[a]kaN    |makã       |           |           |           |
|tooth           |*maga       |maga       |mɑ'gɑʔ     |mɑŋ'gɑʔɑ   |mɑŋgɑ      |
|behind          |*mɔ         |mo         |mo         |'mo        |mo         |
|afraid          |*mɔki       |           |mo'ki      |'moki-     |moki-      |
|cheek           |*mɔxɔN      |moɣo-pe    |           |           |           |
|not want        |*muN        |mũ-        |           |           |           |
|gall/bile       |*isimu[N]   |isimu      |           |           |           |
|drink (irrealis)|*amiN       |amĩ-       |ɑ'mi       |ɑ'mi       |ɑ'mi       |
|young woman     |*am[i]gi    |amigi      |           |           |           |
|child/son       |*[a]m[ʉ/u]  |           |nɑ'mu      |           |'nɑmu      |
|mother's bro.   |*[ɔ]mɔN     |omõ        |           |           |           |
|think           |*ɸimi       |fimi-      |           |           |           |
|smell           |*ɸumiC      |fu mi-k    |           |           |           |
|in front        |*samaN      |           |sɑ'mɑʔ     |sɑ'mɑʔ     |           |
|moon            |*kamu       |           |kɑ'muʔ     |kɑ'muʔ     |           |
|far             |*xamaN      |           |hɑ'mɑ      |'hɑm-      |xɑ'mɑʔ     |
|be in pain      |*xaɾim[ɛ]   |ɣaⁱmɛ      |           |           |           |
|ripe            |*jamu       |jomũ       |           |           |           |
|thorn           |*jɔmɔxɔN    |jomo       |jomo'hõ    |jomo'ɣo    |'jomoxo    |
|night           |*wɔmiN      |womĩ       |           |           |           |

Apical nasal /*n/ is significantly less common than biliabial /*m/. It is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|                |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|                |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|                |***n**      |**n**      |**n**      |**n**      |**n**      |
|mother          |*ni         |           |           |-ni        |-ni        |
|mosquito        |*n[ɛ]gi     |-nigi      |ne'gi      |-ŋgɪ       |-nigi      |
|1 sg. poss.     |*na         |na         |nɑ-        |nɑ-        |nɑ-        |
|eat (imperative)|*naN        |nã         |           |           |           |
|knowledge       |*naɸaN      |           |nɑ'fɑ̃ŋ    |nɑ'ɸɑ(m)-  |           |
|1 pl.           |*nʉgu       |nygu       |'nugu      |'nugu      |nugu       |
|go (imperative) |*nɔxɔⁱ      |noɣi       |no'xoⁱ     |no'xoᶦ     |           |
|1 sg.           |*nu         |nu         |nũ         |nũ         |nũ         |
|older sister    |*ani        |eni        |           |           |           |
|be cooked       |*paxaniC    |pani-k     |           |           |           |
|soul            |*bɔn[ɔ]     |bono       |           |           |           |
|break/snap      |*gɛniC      |gɛni-k     |           |           |           |
|be enough       |*xaɾiniC    |ɣaⁱni-k    |           |           |           |

Bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ is uncommon. It is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|               |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River |
|               |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah       |
|               |***p**      |**p**      |**p**      |**p**      |**p**       |
|long           |*piɾi       |pi         |pi'ɾi      |'piɾi      |'piɾi ≈ pili|
|wound          |*pɛsɔ       |pɛso       |           |           |            |
|old (things)   |*pasʉ       |poʃy       |po'sɯ      |posi       |po'sɯ       |
|excrement      |*paxa       |paɣa       |           |           |            |
|be cooked      |*paxaniC    |pani-k     |           |           |            |
|               |            |           |           |           |            |
|mother's mother|*api        |api        |e'pi       |ɑ'pi       |            |
|butterfly      |*apaɾɔ      |apo        |           |           |            |
|friend         |*apɔ[xɔ]ɸɛ  |apofɛ      |           |-ɑ'pofɛ    |-ɑpoxofe    |

Apical voiceless stop /*t/ is somewhat uncommon, as it had been palatalized and fricated to merged with /*s/ when followed by high and high mid vowels /*i *ʉ *u *e̞ *o̞/ (Healey 1970: 1001, 1007.) It is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|               |Central Awyu   |Mappi River|Pasue River |Pasue River|Pasue River|
|               |               |Aghu       |Taim        |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|               |***t**         |**t**      |**t**       |**t**      |**t**      |
|chin           |*tɛɾɛ          |tɛ         |            |           |           |
|wing           |*taɸijɔ        |tɛfio      |'tɛfijo     |tɑɸi'jo    |tɑ'fijo    |
|tired          |*taxaN         |taɣã       |            |           |           |
|cold           |*taɾʉ          |ty         |'tou ≈ to'du|to'ru      |tɑ'ɾu      |
|hole           |*tɔ            |-to        |-to         |-toʔ       |-to        |
|armpit         |*tɔ[ŋ]gɔN      |toŋgõ      |            |           |           |
|finger/toe     |*tɔɾɔN         |-tõ        |-toŋ        |-tɑʔ       |to'ro      |
|see/find       |*[ɸ][i/ɛ]t[ɛ/ɔ]|ɛtɛ-oɣ     |eto-        |ɸi'to-     |ɸi'to-     |
|outside/bush   |*bɛtaxa        |bɛtaɣa     |bɪ'tɑɣɑʔ    |betɑ'ɣɑʔ   |ˌbetɑ'xɑ   |
|get up/stand up|*dɔtɔ          |doto-ɣ     |doto-       |dotə-      |doto-      |
|mouth          |*xatɔ          |ɣato       |'xɑto       |'hɑtoʔ     |           |

Velar voiceless stop /*k/ is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|                 |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River |Pasue River    |Pasue River    |
|                 |            |Aghu       |Taim        |Nohon          |Ketah          |
|                 |***k**      |**k**      |**k**       |**k**          |**k**          |
|flower           |*ki         |ki         |            |               |               |
|theft            |*ki         |ki         |            |               |               |
|bathe/swim       |*kiN        |kĩ         |            |               |               |
|be               |*kiC        |ki-k       |            |               |ki             |
|wind             |*kiɸi       |kifi       |ki'fi       |               |               |
|foot/leg         |*kitɔ       |kito       |            |               |               |
|marsupial        |*k[i]sɔ     |kuso       |'kiso ≈ keso|kiso           |ˌkiso'ɑ ≈ kɪsoa|
|rope             |*kikiN      |kikĩ       |            |               |               |
|eye              |*kiɾɔ       |kio        |'kijo       |'kijo          |'kʲijo         |
|sharp            |*k[ɛ]siN    |kisĩ       |ke'sin      |'kɪsi          |kɪ'se          |
|carry            |*kɛkuN      |kɛkũ-      |            |               |               |
|bad              |*kɛjɔN      |           |ken'jõ      |'kʲijo         |kijo           |
|sweat            |*kasiN      |kɛsĩ       |            |               |               |
|sugarcane        |*kʉN        |kỹ         |            |               |               |
|die              |*kʉN        |kỹ-        |kuŋ-        |kuŋ-           |kuŋ-           |
|younger sib      |*kʉda       |kyda       |ku'dɑh      |kurɑ           |ku'dɑʔ         |
|dig              |*kʉw[ɔ]     |ky(o)-ɣ    |-ɣu         |-ku            |-ku-           |
|moon             |*kamu       |           |kɑ'muʔ      |kɑ'muʔ         |               |
|branch           |*kabi[ja]N  |kabiã      |            |               |               |
|flesh            |*kadu       |kudu       |ko'ru       |ko'ru ≈ ko'ro  |kɑ'du          |
|belly            |*kakʉ       |koky       |ko'ku       |kɑ'ku          |'kɑku          |
|red              |*kaŋgɔN     |kaŋgõ      |kɑŋ'go      |'kɑŋgo         |kɑŋ'gɔʔ        |
|leech            |*kaɾijaN    |           |            |'kɑɾijɑ ≈ kɛ'jɑ|'kɑlijɑŋ       |
|cassowary        |*kaɾʉwɛ     |           |kɑu'wɛ      |ku'wɛ          |kuwɛʔ          |
|dry              |*kaɾa       |           |kɑ'jɑ       |kɑ'rɑ          |               |
|paddle           |*kaxʷi      |kɛfi       |kɑ'fi       |kɑ'ɸi          |'kɑxɛ          |
|wash             |*kuN        |kũ-        |kuŋ-        |               |ku-            |
|plant (v.)       |*kuN        |kũ-        |            |               |               |
|enemy            |*kuɸɛ       |kufɛ       |            |               |               |
|sleep            |*kunuN      |kunuŋ      |kunu        |kunu           |konu           |
|bathe/swim (irr.)|*akiN       |           |ɑki(m)-     |ɑki(m)-        |ɑki(m)-        |
|smoke/cloud      |*akʉ        |yku (?)    |'ɑku        |ɑ'ku           |-ku            |
|forehead         |*mika       |mika       |            |               |               |
|swallow          |*mikuN      |mikũ-      |            |               |               |
|low/below        |*m[a]kaN    |makã       |            |               |               |
|afraid           |*mɔki       |           |mo'ki       |'moki-         |moki-          |
|knee             |*bɔki[N]    |boki (?)   |            |               |'boki          |

Bilabial voiced stop /*b/ is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|             |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River |Pasue River|
|             |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon       |Ketah      |
|             |***b**      |**b**      |**b**        |**b**       |**b**      |
|goanna       |*ɛbi        |           |'ɛbi         |'ɛbi        |           |
|laughter     |*abɛN       |'abɛ gi-k  |'ɑbə-'gi     |ɑb-gigi     |ɑb-gigi    |
|outside/bush |*bɛtaxa     |bɛtaɣa     |bɪ'tɑɣɑʔ     |betɑ'ɣɑʔ    |ˌbetɑ'xɑ   |
|hand/arm     |*bɛdɔ       |bɛdo ≈ bodo|be'ro        |be'ro       |bedo       |
|bone         |*b[ɛ]gi     |bigi       |be'gɪ ≈ be'gɛ|be'gɪ ≈ bɪgɪ|'bɛgɛ      |
|village/house|*bʉsʉ       |byʃy       |bu'su        |'busu       |busɯ       |
|sit          |*ba         |ba-ɣ       |bɑ-          |bɑ-         |bɑ-        |
|male         |*basiN      |basĩ       |be'siŋ       |bɛsi        |           |
|short        |*bagɔ       |bago       |bɑ'go        |'bɑgo       |'bɑɣo      |
|father       |*bɔ         |           |bo           |bo          |bo         |
|soul         |*bɔn[ɔ]     |bono       |             |            |           |
|heavy        |*bɔdʉ       |body       |             |            |           |
|knee         |*bɔki[N]    |boki (?)   |             |            |'boki      |
|heel         |*bu         |bu         |             |            |           |
|elbow        |*b[u]N      |           |buŋ          |bu          |bu         |
|fly (v.)     |*buɾuN      |bũ         |'buŋ         |bu          |burn-      |
|arrow        |*dibisi     |dibisi     |dibi'si      |di'bisi     |'dibisi    |
|island       |*dʉbi       |dybi       |             |            |           |
|heart        |*dʉbɾɔ      |dybo       |'diboʔ       |            |           |
|young man    |*sʉbaN      |sybã       |su'bɑŋ       |su'bɑ       |           |
|daughter     |*sub-ɾaN    |subã       |             |-suba       |           |
|nipple       |*s[u]bu     |nõ sobu    |             |            |           |
|branch       |*kabi[ja]N  |kabiã      |             |            |           |
|head         |*xaⁱbaN     |ɣabã       |hɑ'bɑŋ       |hɑ'bɑ       |haⁱbɑʔ     |
|stone axe    |*xabu       |ɣabu       |hɑbu         |'xɑbu       |xɑbu       |
|tail         |*wɔb[u]     |wobugo     |wo'bu        |wo'bu       |wo'bu      |

Initial apical voiced stop /*d/ is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|               |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|               |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|               |***d-**     |**d**      |**d**      |**d**      |**d**      |
|arrow          |*dibisi     |dibisi     |dibi'si    |di'bisi    |'dibisi    |
|not            |*dɛ         |dɛ         |           |           |           |
|sago           |*dʉ         |dy         |du         |'dʲu ≈ du  |d̪ʲu ≈ dʲu |
|cook/burn      |*dʉ         |           |du-        |           |           |
|bow            |*dʉN        |dỹ         |dũŋ        |dũŋ        |dũŋ        |
|island         |*dʉbi       |dybi       |           |           |           |
|burn (intr.)   |*dɔ         |           |do-        |dɔ-        |do-        |
|get up/stand up|*dɔtɔ       |doto-ɣ     |doto-      |dotə-      |doto-      |

Medial apical /*d/ is lenited to [r] in Nohon and sometimes in Taim. Kriens and Lebold's <r>, presumably a trill, is never palatalized or dropped and remains distinct from the retained reflexes of apical non-stop /*ɾ/ (below):

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|           |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River  |Pasue River|
|           |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon        |Ketah      |
|           |***-d-**    |**d**      |**d [d r ɾ]**|**d [r]**    |**d**      |
|tie        |*adaC       |ada-k      |ɑr-          |-ɑrɑ         |ɑd-        |
|thigh      |*midiN      |midi       |             |             |           |
|stomach    |*madʉ       |mody       |məru         |             |           |
|moon       |*bidiN      |bidĩ       |             |             |'bɪdɪ      |
|hand/arm   |*bɛdɔ       |bɛdo ≈ bodo|be'ro        |be'ro        |bedo       |
|heavy      |*bɔdʉ       |body       |             |             |           |
|younger sib|*kʉda       |kyda       |ku'dɑh       |kurɑ         |ku'dɑʔ     |
|flesh      |*kadu       |kudu       |ko'ru        |ko'ru ≈ ko'ro|kɑ'du      |
|path       |*j[ɛ]di     |           |jɛ'di        |jɛ'ri        |           |
|river      |*widi       |widi       |u'ɾi         |wiri         |'widʒi     |
|small      |*wadi       |           |wɑ'ri        |'wɑri        |'wɑdi      |
|thumb      |*wɔdɔ       |wodo       |             |             |           |

Velar voiced stop /*g/ is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|              |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River  |Pasue River|
|              |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon        |Ketah      |
|              |***g**      |**g**      |**g**        |**g**        |**g**      |
|scratch/scrape|*gi         |gi-        |gi           |-ɣɪ          |-ɣi        |
|garden        |*gij[a/ɔ]N  |           |gi'ɲõŋ       |kʲijɑ̃       |'gijoŋ     |
|break/snap    |*gɛniC      |gɛni-k     |             |             |           |
|brain         |*gʉN        |gỹ         |             |             |           |
|navel         |*gʉN        |gỹ         |             |             |           |
|2 pl.         |*gʉgu       |gygu       |'gugu        |'gugu        |'gugu      |
|2 sg. poss.   |*ga         |ga         |             |             |           |
|blood         |*gɔN        |gõ         |gõŋ          |gõŋ          |goŋ        |
|2 sg.         |*gu         |gu         |gu           |             |           |
|3 sg.         |*[ɛ]gi      |           |ɪgɪ          |             |           |
|young woman   |*am[i]gi    |amigi      |             |             |           |
|seek/search   |*aguC       |agu-k      |ɑ'gu-        |ɑgu-         |ɑ'gu-      |
|bone          |*b[ɛ]gi     |bigi       |be'gɪ ≈ be'gɛ|be'gɪ ≈ bɪgɪ |'bɛgɛ      |
|short         |*bagɔ       |bago       |bɑ'go        |'bɑgo        |'bɑɣo (?)  |
|tongue        |*ɸagɛ       |fagɛ       |ɸɑ'gɛ ≈ fɑ'gɛ|'ɸɑgɛ ≈ 'fɑgɛ|fɑge       |
|mosquito      |*n[ɛ]gi     |-nigi      |ne'gi        |-ŋgɪ         |-nigi      |
|1 pl.         |*nʉgu       |nygu       |'nugu        |'nugu        |nugu       |
|penis         |*s[ɛ]gi     |sɛgi       |             |             |           |

When medial /*g/ follows nasal /*m/ in a previous syllable, it is prenasalized to [ŋg] in Nohon and Ketah:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|     |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River |
|     |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah       |
|     |***-g-/mV_**|**g**      |**g**      |**g [ŋg]** |**g [g ŋg]**|
|egg  |*mʉgɔ       |mygo       |mu'go      |muŋ'go     |mu'gɔʔ      |
|tooth|*maga       |maga       |mɑ'gɑʔ     |mɑŋ'gɑʔ    |mɑŋgɑ       |

Prenasalized stops /*mb *nd *ŋg/ occur only medially. …

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|          |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|          |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|          |***mb**     |**mb**     |**b**      |**b**      |**b**      |
|crocodile |*xajambu    |kʲambu     |hɛ'bu      |hɛ'bu      |hɑbɑ       |
|          |***nd**     |****       |**nd**     |**nd**     |**nd**     |
|fire      |*[j]indɔ    |           |in'do      |'indo      |'indo      |
|          |***ŋg**     |**ŋg**     |**ŋg**     |**ŋg**     |**ŋg**     |
|dog       |*aŋgi       |jaŋgi (?)  |'ɑŋgi      |'ɑŋgi      |'ɑŋgi      |
|louse     |*aŋgu       |aŋgu       |ɑŋ'gu      |'ɑŋgu      |'ɑŋgu      |
|armpit    |*tɔ[ŋ]gɔN   |toŋgõ      |           |           |           |
|red       |*kaŋgɔN     |kaŋgõ      |kɑŋ'go     |'kɑŋgo     |kɑŋ'gɔʔ    |
|flying fox|*xɔŋgi      |ɣoŋgi      |           |           |           |

One example is indeterminate between /*d/ and /*nd/, an uncertainty also found in West Awyu in the same root:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|            |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|            |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|            |***[d/nd]** |**d**      |**d [r]**  |**d [ɾ]**  |**nd**     |
|eat (future)|*a[d/nd]i[N]|adĩ-       |ɑ'ri       |ɑɾi        |ɑn'di      |

Bilabial fricative /*ɸ/ is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|             |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River  |Pasue River  |
|             |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon        |Ketah        |
|             |***ɸ**      |**ɸ <f>**  |**ɸ [ɸ f]**  |**ɸ [ɸ f]**  |**ɸ [ɸ f ʍ]**|
|name         |*ɸi         |fi         |fi           |ɸi           |ɸi           |
|think        |*ɸimi       |fimi-      |             |             |             |
|bamboo       |*ɸijɔ       |           |'ɸijo ≈ 'fijo|'fijo        |'ʍijoʔ       |
|tongue       |*ɸagɛ       |fagɛ       |ɸɑ'gɛ ≈ fɑ'gɛ|'ɸɑgɛ ≈ 'fɑgɛ|fɑge         |
|stab (future)|*ɸʉ[N]      |fỹ-        |'fu          |             |ɸu           |
|bad smell    |*paxa ɸʉN   |pa-fỹ      |             |             |             |
|smell        |*ɸumiC      |fu mi-k    |             |             |             |
|friend       |*apɔxɔɸɛ    |apofɛ      |             |-ɑ'pofɛ      |-ɑpoxofe     |
|knowledge    |*naɸaN      |           |nɑ'fɑ̃ŋ      |nɑ'ɸɑ(m)-    |             |
|wing         |*taɸijɔ     |tɛfio      |'tɛfijo      |tɑɸi'jo      |tɑ'fijo      |
|wind         |*kiɸi       |kifi       |ki'fi        |             |             |
|enemy        |*kuɸɛ       |kufɛ       |             |             |             |
|good         |*jaɸi       |jafi       |jɛ'fi        |             |             |

Fricative /*s/ is most often but not always followed by high vowels /*i *ʉ *u/, because /*t/ had previously merged with /*s/ in this environment. It remains contrastive with /*t/ when followed by non-high vowels /*a *ɔ/:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|            |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River |Pasue River |Pasue River    |
|            |            |Aghu       |Taim        |Nohon       |Ketah          |
|            |***s**      |**s**      |**s**       |**s**       |**s**          |
|plait       |*si         |si-        |            |            |               |
|nose        |*siN        |si ≈ sim-to|'sin-to     |'si-toʔ     |'si-to         |
|ashes       |*sin[a]     |sina-ko    |sinodo'go   |sinodo'ɣo   |               |
|black       |*siɾi       |si         |si          |si'ri       |si'ɾi          |
|high/above  |*siɾi       |si         |si          |ʃ-ɑ'xɑ      |ʃ-ɑxɑ          |
|widow(er)   |*sɛN        |sɛ̃        |            |            |               |
|leech       |*s[i]siN    |sisi       |sə'siŋ      |            |               |
|penis       |*s[ɛ]gi     |sɛgi       |            |            |               |
|in front    |*samaN      |           |sɑ'mɑʔ      |sɑ'mɑʔ      |               |
|sun         |*saw[a]     |sowo       |sɑ'wɑʔ      |sɑ'wɑʔ      |'sowɑʔ         |
|earth/ground|*sɔxɔ       |soɣo       |so'ɣo       |so'ɣo ≈ sogo|so'xo          |
|daughter    |*sub-ɾaN    |subã       |            |-suba       |               |
|nipple      |*s[u]bu     |nõ sobu    |            |            |               |
|ear         |*suɾuN(-tɔ) |su-kɛto    |'sun-to     |'su-toʔ     |'su-to         |
|mosquito    |*isi-       |i'si-      |            |i'si-       |i'si-i         |
|gall/bile   |*isimu[N]   |isimu      |            |            |               |
|one         |*isijɔ      |isi'o-     |-ɪsi'jo     |-'sijo      |-'sijo         |
|sneeze (n.) |*asiN       |asinaŋ     |            |            |               |
|bite        |*asiC       |asi-k      |ɑsi-        |ɑsi-        |               |
|dream       |*axasʉ      |asy        |            |            |               |
|tail of bird|*ɔsiɾ[ɔN]   |osia       |            |            |               |
|go up       |*ɔsuC       |osu-k      |            |            |               |
|stand       |*m[i]si-(ɛ) |           |ˌmisi'jɛ    |'misinɑ     |misinɑ         |
|blunt/dull  |*mʉsV       |mysiã      |            |            |muʃu           |
|beard       |*mas[ʉ]     |masy       |            |            |               |
|wound       |*pɛsɔ       |pɛso       |            |            |               |
|male        |*basiN      |basĩ       |be'siŋ      |bɛsi        |               |
|arrow       |*dibisi     |dibisi     |dibi'si     |di'bisi     |'dibisi        |
|marsupial   |*k[i]sɔ     |kuso       |'kiso ≈ keso|kiso        |ˌkiso'ɑ ≈ kɪsoa|
|sharp       |*k[ɛ]siN    |kisĩ       |ke'sin      |'kɪsi       |kɪ'se          |
|sweat       |*kasiN      |kɛsĩ       |            |            |               |
|spear       |*xasi       |ɣasi       |            |            |               |
|spittle     |*xasi       |ɣasi       |            |            |               |
|snake       |*wisi       |wisi       |wi'si       |'wisi       |'wisi          |

When followed by high central cowel /*ʉ/, /*s/ is typically but not invariably realized as [ʃ] in Drabbe's Aghu:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|             |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|             |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|             |***s/_ʉ**   |**s [ʃ s]**|**s**      |**s**      |**s**      |
|banana       |*sʉ         |ʃy         |su         |sɯ         |sɯ̃        |
|young man    |*sʉbaN      |sybã       |su'bɑŋ     |su'bɑ      |           |
|night/dark   |*asʉ        |asy        |ɑ'sɯ       |ɑ'sɯ       |'ɑsɯ       |
|old (things) |*pasʉ       |poʃy       |po'sɯ      |posi       |po'sɯ      |
|village/house|*bʉsʉ       |byʃy       |bu'su      |'busu      |busɯ       |

Velar fricative /*x/ …

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|               |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River  |Pasue River  |
|               |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon        |Ketah        |
|               |***x-**     |**x [ɣ]**  |**x [h x]**  |**x [h x]**  |**x [x h]**  |
|skin/bark      |*xa         |ɣa         |hɑ ≈ xɑ      |xɑ ≈ hɑ ≈ -ɣɑ|xɑ           |
|centipede      |*xa         |ɣa         |             |             |             |
|give birth     |*xaⁱ        |ɣai-fi-oɣ  |             |             |             |
|head           |*xaⁱbaN     |ɣabã       |hɑ'bɑŋ       |hɑ'bɑ        |haⁱbɑʔ       |
|far            |*xamaN      |           |hɑ'mɑ        |'hɑm-        |xɑ'mɑʔ       |
|stone axe      |*xabu       |ɣabu       |hɑbu         |'xɑbu        |xɑbu         |
|mouth          |*xatɔ       |ɣato       |'xɑto        |'hɑtoʔ       |             |
|spear          |*xasi       |ɣasi       |             |             |             |
|spittle        |*xasi       |ɣasi       |             |             |             |
|be in pain     |*xaɾim[ɛ]   |ɣaⁱmɛ      |             |             |             |
|be enough      |*xaɾiniC    |ɣaⁱni-k    |             |             |             |
|fence          |*xaɾija     |           |hɑi          |'xɑjɑ        |'hɑɾijɑ      |
|crocodile      |*xajambu    |kʲambu     |hɛ'bu        |hɛ'bu        |hɑbɑ         |
|white          |*xajɔ       |           |hɑ'jo        |hɑ'jo        |xɑ'jo        |
|root           |*xajɔ       |           |'hɑjo        |'hɑjo        |'xɑjo        |
|man            |*xɔ         |ɣo         |             |             |xo           |
|walk/go        |*xɔ         |ɣo-ɣ       |             |             |xo           |
|flying fox     |*xɔŋgi      |ɣoŋgi      |             |             |             |
|ghost          |*xɔxɔⁱ      |ɣoɣi       |xo'ɣoⁱ       |xoɣo         |'xoɣo        |
|sky/cloud      |*xɔwʉ(-tɔ)  |ɣuⁱ-to     |hou          |hou          |'xou ≈ xu    |
|man/husband    |*xu         |ɣu         |-hu          |-ũ           |-hu          |
|milk           |*xu[N]      |ɣu         |             |             |             |
|               |***-x-**    |**x [ɣ]**  |**x [ɣ h]**  |**x [ɣ h ø]**|**x [ɣ x]**  |
|fish           |*axaᵉ       |aɣɛ        |ɑ'ɣɑⁱ        |ɑɣɑⁱ         |ɑ'ɣe         |
|water          |*ɔxɔ        |oɣo        |o'ɣo         |'oɣo ≈ o'ɣo  |oɣo ≈ ɔ'xɔ   |
|cheek          |*mɔxɔN      |moɣo-pe    |             |             |             |
|excrement      |*paxa       |paɣa       |             |             |             |
|outside/bush   |*bɛtaxa     |bɛtaɣa     |bɪ'tɑɣɑʔ     |betɑ'ɣɑʔ     |ˌbetɑ'xɑ     |
|go (imperative)|*nɔxɔⁱ      |noɣi       |no'xoⁱ       |no'xoᶦ       |             |
|tired          |*taxaN      |taɣã       |             |             |             |
|earth/ground   |*sɔxɔ       |soɣo       |so'ɣo        |so'ɣo ≈ sogo |so'xo        |
|ghost          |*xɔxɔⁱ      |ɣoɣi       |xo'ɣoⁱ       |xoɣo         |'xoɣo        |
|person         |*ɾaxu       |aɣu        |ɑ'hu         |'ɑu          |ɑ'ɣu ≈ 'ɑxu  |
|older brother  |*j[a]xɔ     |e:ɣo       |-e'ho        |-jo'ɣo       |-jogo        |
|3 pl.          |*jɔxɔ       |joɣo       |'joho        |'joho        |             |
|rattan/rope    |*jɔxu       |joɣu       |jo'ɣu ≈ jo'ɣo|jo'ɣo        |jo'ɣu ≈ 'joɣo|

In several words with three or more syllables, /*x/ is dropped in Drabbe's Aghu between successive like vowels /*a *ɔ/; this is not exceptionless (above):

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|         |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|         |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|         |***x/a_a**  |**ø**      |****       |****       |****       |
|dream    |*axasʉ      |asy        |           |           |           |
|be cooked|*paxaniC    |pani-k     |           |           |           |
|bad smell|*paxa ɸʉN   |pa-fỹ      |           |           |           |
|         |***x/ɔ_ɔ**  |**ø**      |**x [h]**  |**x [ɣ ø]**|**x**      |
|friend   |*apɔxɔɸɛ    |apofɛ      |           |-ɑ'pofɛ    |-ɑpoxofe   |
|thorn    |*jɔmɔxɔN    |jomo       |jomo'hõ    |jomo'ɣo    |'jomoxo    |

Apical non-stop /*ɾ/ is alternately retained, palatalized or dropped in all descendants except Drabbe's Aghu, in which it is invariably dropped:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|            |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River    |Pasue River      |
|            |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon          |Ketah            |
|            |***ɾ-**     |**ø**      |**j ø**      |**ø**          |**ɾ ø**          |
|lie down    |*ɾi         |i-g        |             |               |                 |
|rib(s)      |*ɾiN        |ini-       |             |               |                 |
|twist rope  |*ɾiN        |ĩ-         |             |               |                 |
|call/sing   |*ɾiC        |i-k        |             |               |                 |
|scar        |*ɾʉN        |ỹ          |             |               |                 |
|boil (n.)   |*ɾʉN        |ynɛ        |             |               |                 |
|thunder     |*ɾʉC        |y-k        |             |               |                 |
|chop down   |*ɾʉC        |y-k        |             |               |                 |
|take/hold   |*ɾa         |a-ɣ        |ja-          |               |                 |
|woman       |*ɾaN        |ã ≈ a:n-   |dʒɑ̃ ≈ ɑ̃    |ɑ̃             |ɑ̃               |
|person      |*ɾaxu       |aɣu        |ɑ'hu         |'ɑu            |ɑ'ɣu             |
|weep/cry    |*ɾɔN        |õ-         |             |               |                 |
|voice/speech|*ɾu         |u          |u            |u              |ɾu               |
|            |***-ɾ-**    |**ø**      |**ɾ [ɾ j ø]**|**ɾ [ɾ r j ø]**|**ɾ [ɾ r l j ø]**|
|fruit/seed  |*ɾɔ         |           |             |               |-lo              |
|speak       |*ɾɔ         |o-ɣ        |-jo-         |-'jo-          |-'ro-            |
|hair/leaf   |*(-)ɾɔN     |õ          |-jõŋ         |-jõŋ ≈ -roŋ    |-ɾo ≈ -roʔ       |
|stone       |*iɾɔ        |io         |'ijo         |'ijo           |iro              |
|tail of bird|*ɔsiɾ[ɔN]   |osia       |             |               |                 |
|long        |*piɾi       |pi         |pi'ɾi        |'piɾi          |'piɾi ≈ pili     |
|fly (v.)    |*buɾuN      |bũ         |'buŋ         |bu             |burn-            |
|chin        |*tɛɾɛ       |tɛ         |             |               |                 |
|cold        |*taɾʉ       |ty         |'tou ≈ to'du |to'ru          |tɑ'ɾu            |
|finger/toe  |*tɔɾɔN      |-tõ        |-toŋ         |-tɑʔ           |to'ro            |
|heart       |*dʉbɾɔ      |dybo       |'diboʔ       |               |                 |
|black       |*siɾi       |si         |si           |si'ri          |si'ɾi            |
|high/above  |*siɾi       |si         |si           |ʃ-ɑ'xɑ         |ʃ-ɑxɑ            |
|torch       |*sija       |sⁱa        |             |               |                 |
|ear         |*suɾuN(-tɔ) |su-kɛto    |'sun-to      |'su-toʔ        |'su-to           |
|eye         |*kiɾɔ       |kio        |'kijo        |'kijo          |'kʲijo           |
|leech       |*kaɾijaN    |           |             |'kɑɾijɑ ≈ kɛ'jɑ|'kɑlijɑŋ         |
|cassowary   |*kaɾʉwɛ     |           |kɑu'wɛ       |ku'wɛ          |kuwɛʔ            |
|dry         |*kaɾa       |           |kɑ'jɑ        |kɑ'rɑ          |                 |
|be in pain  |*xaɾim[ɛ]   |ɣaⁱmɛ      |             |               |                 |
|fence       |*xaɾija     |           |hɑi          |'xɑjɑ          |'hɑɾijɑ          |
|worm        |*wɛɾʉ       |           |             |               |ᵘwe'ru           |

Palatal glide /*j/ is generally retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|             |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River    |Pasue River  |
|             |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon          |Ketah        |
|             |***j**      |**j**      |**j**        |**j**          |**j**        |
|path         |*j[ɛ]di     |           |jɛ'di        |jɛ'ri          |             |
|older brother|*j[a]xɔ     |e:ɣo       |-e'ho        |-jo'ɣo         |-jogo        |
|ripe         |*jamu       |jomũ       |             |               |             |
|good         |*jaɸi       |jafi       |jɛ'fi        |               |             |
|canoe        |*jaxʷʉN     |jofỹ       |jo'ɸuŋ       |jo'ɸu          |'joxu        |
|breadfruit   |*jawɔ[N]    |           |jɑ'wo        |'jõŋwo         |jo'woŋ       |
|copulate     |*jɔN        |jõ-        |             |               |             |
|thorn        |*jɔmɔxɔN    |jomo       |jomo'hõ      |jomo'ɣo        |'jomoxo      |
|3 pl.        |*jɔxɔ       |joɣo       |'joho        |'joho          |             |
|rattan/rope  |*jɔxu       |joɣu       |jo'ɣu ≈ jo'ɣo|jo'ɣo          |jo'ɣu ≈ 'joɣo|
|one          |*isijɔ      |isi'o-     |-ɪsi'jo      |-'sijo         |-'sijo       |
|bamboo       |*ɸijɔ       |           |'ɸijo ≈ 'fijo|'fijo          |'ʍijoʔ       |
|wing         |*taɸijɔ     |tɛfio      |'tɛfijo      |tɑɸi'jo        |tɑ'fijo      |
|torch        |*sija       |sⁱa        |             |               |             |
|bad          |*kɛjɔN      |           |ken'jõ       |'kʲijo         |kijo         |
|leech        |*kaɾijaN    |           |             |'kɑɾijɑ ≈ kɛ'jɑ|'kɑlijɑŋ     |
|garden       |*gij[a/ɔ]N  |           |gi'ɲõŋ       |kʲijɑ̃         |'gijoŋ       |
|fence        |*xaɾija     |           |hɑi          |'xɑjɑ          |'hɑɾijɑ      |

Glide /*w/ is generally retained as such in all descendats:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|            |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|            |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|            |***w**      |**w**      |**w**      |**w**      |**w**      |
|snake       |*wisi       |wisi       |wi'si      |'wisi      |'wisi      |
|river       |*widi       |widi       |u'ɾi       |wiri       |'widʒi     |
|worm        |*wɛɾʉ       |           |           |           |ᵘwe'ru     |
|left/lame   |*wa         |wa         |-wɑ        |           |           |
|3 sg. poss. |*wa-        |           |wɑ-        |wɑ-        |wɑ-        |
|small       |*wadi       |           |wɑ'ri      |'wɑri      |'wɑdi      |
|night       |*wɔmiN      |womĩ       |           |           |           |
|inside      |*wɔmu       |womu       |wo'mu      |wo'mu      |wo'mu      |
|tail        |*wɔb[u]     |wobugo     |wo'bu      |wo'bu      |wo'bu      |
|thumb       |*wɔdɔ       |wodo       |           |           |           |
|bamboo knife|*wɔki       |woki       |wi'ki      |'woki      |'woki      |
|sun         |*saw[a]     |sowo       |sɑ'wɑʔ     |sɑ'wɑʔ     |'sowɑʔ     |
|cassowary   |*kaɾʉwɛ     |           |kɑu'wɛ     |ku'wɛ      |kuwɛʔ      |
|breadfruit  |*jawɔ[N]    |           |jɑ'wo      |'jõŋwo     |jo'woŋ     |

Additionally, there is a correspondence, represented here as /*xʷ/, which is found only in loans from Marind or Marind-Yaqay, where glide /*w/ is realized as [hʷ] in the western dialects of Marind (q.v. Drabbe 1955: 148-151):

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|      |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|      |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|      |***xʷ**     |**ɸ <f>**  |**ɸ [ɸ f]**|**ɸ**      |**x**      |
|paddle|*kaxʷi      |kɛfi       |kɑ'fi      |kɑ'ɸi      |'kɑxɛ      |
|canoe |*jaxʷʉN     |jofỹ       |jo'ɸuŋ     |jo'ɸu      |'joxu      |

High front vowel /*i/ is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|                 |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River    |Pasue River |
|                 |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon          |Ketah       |
|                 |***i**      |**i**      |**i**        |**i**          |**i [i ɪ]** |
|fire             |*[j]indɔ    |           |in'do        |'indo          |'indo       |
|mosquito         |*isi-       |i'si-      |             |i'si-          |i'si-i      |
|gall/bile        |*isimu[N]   |isimu      |             |               |            |
|one              |*isijɔ      |isi'o-     |-ɪsi'jo      |-'sijo         |-'sijo      |
|goanna           |*ɛbi        |           |'ɛbi         |'ɛbi           |            |
|drink (irrealis) |*amiN       |amĩ-       |ɑ'mi         |ɑ'mi           |ɑ'mi        |
|young woman      |*am[i]gi    |amigi      |             |               |            |
|mother's mother  |*api        |api        |e'pi         |ɑ'pi           |            |
|older sister     |*ani        |eni        |             |               |            |
|eat (future)     |*a[d/nd]iN  |adĩ-       |ɑ'ri         |ɑɾi            |ɑn'di       |
|sneeze (n.)      |*asiN       |asinaŋ     |             |               |            |
|bite             |*asiC       |asi-k      |ɑsi-         |ɑsi-           |            |
|bathe/swim (irr.)|*akiN       |           |ɑki(m)-      |ɑki(m)-        |ɑki(m)-     |
|tail of bird     |*ɔsiɾ[ɔN]   |osia       |             |               |            |
|pig              |*[u]wi      |wi         |βi           |wi             |wi          |
|star/firefly     |*miN        |mĩ         |mi           |mi             |mi          |
|drink (realis)   |*mi[C]      |mi-k       |             |               |            |
|morning          |*mimiN      |mimĩ       |             |               |            |
|thigh            |*midiN      |midi       |             |               |            |
|stand            |*m[i]si-(ɛ) |           |ˌmisi'jɛ     |'misinɑ        |misinɑ      |
|forehead         |*mika       |mika       |             |               |            |
|swallow          |*mikuN      |mikũ-      |             |               |            |
|afraid           |*mɔki       |           |mo'ki        |'moki-         |moki-       |
|long             |*piɾi       |pi         |pi'ɾi        |'piɾi          |'piɾi ≈ pili|
|be cooked        |*paxaniC    |pani-k     |             |               |            |
|moon             |*bidiN      |bidĩ       |             |               |'bɪdɪ       |
|bone             |*b[ɛ]gi     |bigi       |be'gɪ ≈ be'gɛ|be'gɪ ≈ bɪgɪ   |'bɛgɛ       |
|male             |*basiN      |basĩ       |be'siŋ       |bɛsi           |            |
|knee             |*bɔki[N]    |boki (?)   |             |               |'boki       |
|name             |*ɸi         |fi         |fi           |ɸi             |ɸi          |
|think            |*ɸimi       |fimi-      |             |               |            |
|bamboo           |*ɸijɔ       |           |'ɸijo ≈ 'fijo|'fijo          |'ʍijoʔ      |
|smell            |*ɸumiC      |fu mi-k    |             |               |            |
|mother           |*ni         |           |             |-ni            |-ni         |
|mosquito         |*n[ɛ]gi     |-nigi      |ne'gi        |-ŋgɪ           |-nigi       |
|wing             |*taɸijɔ     |tɛfio      |'tɛfijo      |tɑɸi'jo        |tɑ'fijo     |
|arrow            |*dibisi     |dibisi     |dibi'si      |di'bisi        |'dibisi     |
|island           |*dʉbi       |dybi       |             |               |            |
|plait            |*si         |si-        |             |               |            |
|nose             |*siN        |si ≈ sim-to|'sin-to      |'si-toʔ        |'si-to      |
|ashes            |*sin[a]     |sina-ko    |sinodo'go    |sinodo'ɣo      |            |
|black            |*siɾi       |si         |si           |si'ri          |si'ɾi       |
|high/above       |*siɾi       |si         |si           |ʃ-ɑ'xɑ         |ʃ-ɑxɑ       |
|torch            |*sija       |sⁱa        |             |               |            |
|leech            |*s[i]siN    |sisi       |sə'siŋ       |               |            |
|penis            |*s[ɛ]gi     |sɛgi       |             |               |            |
|flower           |*ki         |ki         |             |               |            |
|theft            |*ki         |ki         |             |               |            |
|bathe/swim       |*kiN        |kĩ         |             |               |            |
|be               |*kiC        |ki-k       |             |               |ki          |
|wind             |*kiɸi       |kifi       |ki'fi        |               |            |
|foot/leg         |*kitɔ       |kito       |             |               |            |
|rope             |*kikiN      |kikĩ       |             |               |            |
|eye              |*kiɾɔ       |kio        |'kijo        |'kijo          |'kʲijo      |
|sharp            |*k[ɛ]siN    |kisĩ       |ke'sin       |'kɪsi          |kɪ'se       |
|branch           |*kabi[ja]N  |kabiã      |             |               |            |
|sweat            |*kasiN      |kɛsĩ       |             |               |            |
|leech            |*kaɾijaN    |           |             |'kɑɾijɑ ≈ kɛ'jɑ|'kɑlijɑŋ    |
|scratch/scrape   |*gi         |gi-        |gi           |-ɣɪ            |-ɣi         |
|garden           |*gij[a/ɔ]N  |           |gi'ɲõŋ       |kʲijɑ̃         |'gijoŋ      |
|break/snap       |*gɛniC      |gɛni-k     |             |               |            |
|spear            |*xasi       |ɣasi       |             |               |            |
|spittle          |*xasi       |ɣasi       |             |               |            |
|be in pain       |*xaɾim[ɛ]   |ɣaⁱmɛ      |             |               |            |
|be enough        |*xaɾiniC    |ɣaⁱni-k    |             |               |            |
|fence            |*xaɾija     |           |hɑi          |'xɑjɑ          |'hɑɾijɑ     |
|flying fox       |*xɔŋgi      |ɣoŋgi      |             |               |            |
|lie down         |*ɾi         |i-g        |             |               |            |
|rib(s)           |*ɾiN        |ini-       |             |               |            |
|twist rope       |*ɾiN        |ĩ-         |             |               |            |
|call/sing        |*ɾiC        |i-k        |             |               |            |
|bird             |*[j]i       |i:         |i:           |i:             |iʔ          |
|path             |*j[ɛ]di     |           |jɛ'di        |jɛ'ri          |            |
|good             |*jaɸi       |jafi       |jɛ'fi        |               |            |
|snake            |*wisi       |wisi       |wi'si        |'wisi          |'wisi       |
|river            |*widi       |widi       |u'ɾi         |wiri           |'widʒi      |
|small            |*wadi       |           |wɑ'ri        |'wɑri          |'wɑdi       |
|night            |*wɔmiN      |womĩ       |             |               |            |
|bamboo knife     |*wɔki       |woki       |wi'ki        |'woki          |'woki       |

High central vowel /*ʉ/ is retained in all descendants following fricative /*s/:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|             |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River  |Pasue River|
|             |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon        |Ketah      |
|             |***ʉ/s_**   |**y <ü>**  |**ʉ [ɯ u]**|**ʉ [ɯ u i]**|**ʉ [ɯ u]**|
|night/dark   |*asʉ        |asy        |ɑ'sɯ       |ɑ'sɯ         |'ɑsɯ       |
|dream        |*axasʉ      |asy        |           |             |           |
|old (things) |*pasʉ       |poʃy       |po'sɯ      |posi         |po'sɯ      |
|village/house|*bʉsʉ       |byʃy       |bu'su      |'busu        |busɯ       |
|banana       |*sʉ         |ʃy         |su         |sɯ           |sɯ̃        |
|young man    |*sʉbaN      |sybã       |su'bɑŋ     |su'bɑ        |           |

In all other environments, high central /*ʉ/ is merged with the reflexes of high back /u/ in the western dialects:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|             |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River |Pasue River|Pasue River|
|             |            |Aghu       |Taim        |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|             |***ʉ**      |**y <ü>**  |**u**       |**u**      |**u**      |
|smoke/cloud  |*akʉ        |yku (?)    |'ɑku        |ɑ'ku       |-ku        |
|stomach      |*madʉ       |mody       |məru        |           |           |
|back         |*mʉ         |my         |            |           |           |
|egg          |*mʉgɔ       |mygo       |mu'go       |muŋ'go     |mu'gɔʔ     |
|blunt/dull   |*mʉsV       |mysiã      |            |           |muʃu       |
|village/house|*bʉsʉ       |byʃy       |bu'su       |'busu      |busɯ       |
|heavy        |*bɔdʉ       |body       |            |           |           |
|kill (future)|*ɸʉN        |fỹ-        |'fu         |           |ɸu         |
|bad smell    |*paxa ɸʉN   |pa-fỹ      |            |           |           |
|1 pl.        |*nʉgu       |nygu       |'nugu       |'nugu      |nugu       |
|cold         |*taɾʉ       |ty         |'tou ≈ to'du|to'ru      |tɑ'ɾu      |
|sago         |*dʉ         |dy         |du          |'dʲu ≈ du  |d̪ʲu ≈ dʲu |
|cook/burn    |*dʉ         |           |du-         |           |           |
|bow          |*dʉN        |dỹ         |dũŋ         |dũŋ        |dũŋ        |
|heart        |*dʉbɾɔ      |dybo       |'diboʔ      |           |           |
|sugarcane    |*kʉN        |kỹ         |            |           |           |
|die          |*kʉN        |kỹ-        |kuŋ-        |kuŋ-       |kuŋ-       |
|younger sib  |*kʉda       |kyda       |ku'dɑh      |kurɑ       |ku'dɑʔ     |
|dig          |*kʉw[ɔ]     |ky(o)-ɣ    |-ɣu         |-ku        |-ku-       |
|belly        |*kakʉ       |koky       |ko'ku       |kɑ'ku      |'kɑku      |
|cassowary    |*kaɾʉwɛ     |           |kɑu'wɛ      |ku'wɛ      |kuwɛʔ      |
|brain        |*gʉN        |gỹ         |            |           |           |
|navel        |*gʉN        |gỹ         |            |           |           |
|2 pl.        |*gʉgu       |gygu       |'gugu       |'gugu      |'gugu      |
|sky/cloud    |*xɔwʉ(-tɔ)  |ɣuⁱ-to     |hou         |hou        |'xou ≈ xu  |
|scar         |*ɾʉN        |ỹ          |            |           |           |
|boil (n.)    |*ɾʉN        |ynɛ        |            |           |           |
|thunder      |*ɾʉC        |y-k        |            |           |           |
|chop down    |*ɾʉC        |y-k        |            |           |           |
|canoe        |*jaxʷʉN     |jofỹ       |jo'ɸuŋ      |jo'ɸu      |'joxu      |
|worm         |*wɛɾʉ       |           |            |           |ᵘwe'ru     |
|liver        |*wʉN (?)    |ỹ          |            |           |           |

High back vowel /*u/ is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|            |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River  |Pasue River  |
|            |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon        |Ketah        |
|            |***u**      |**u**      |**u**        |**u**        |**u**        |
|gall/bile   |*isimu[N]   |isimu      |             |             |             |
|seek/search |*aguC       |agu-k      |ɑ'gu-        |ɑgu-         |ɑ'gu-        |
|louse       |*aŋgu       |aŋgu       |ɑŋ'gu        |'ɑŋgu        |'ɑŋgu        |
|go up       |*ɔsuC       |osu-k      |             |             |             |
|swallow     |*mikuN      |mikũ-      |             |             |             |
|not want    |*muN        |mũ-        |             |             |             |
|heel        |*bu         |bu         |             |             |             |
|elbow       |*b[u]N      |           |buŋ          |bu           |bu           |
|fly (v.)    |*buɾuN      |bũ         |'buŋ         |bu           |burn-        |
|smell       |*ɸumiC      |fu mi-k    |             |             |             |
|below       |*[ɸ/x]u     |fu         |ɸu           |xu           |             |
|1 pl.       |*nʉgu       |nygu       |'nugu        |'nugu        |nugu         |
|1 sg.       |*nu         |nu         |nũ           |nũ           |nũ           |
|daughter    |*sub-ɾaN    |subã       |             |-suba        |             |
|nipple      |*s[u]bu     |nõ sobu    |             |             |             |
|ear         |*suɾuN(-tɔ) |su-kɛto    |'sun-to      |'su-toʔ      |'su-to       |
|carry       |*kɛkuN      |kɛkũ-      |             |             |             |
|moon        |*kamu       |           |kɑ'muʔ       |kɑ'muʔ       |             |
|flesh       |*kadu       |kudu       |ko'ru        |ko'ru ≈ ko'ro|kɑ'du        |
|wash        |*kuN        |kũ-        |kuŋ-         |             |ku-          |
|plant (v.)  |*kuN        |kũ-        |             |             |             |
|enemy       |*kuɸɛ       |kufɛ       |             |             |             |
|sleep       |*kunuN      |kunuŋ      |kunu         |kunu         |konu         |
|2 pl.       |*gʉgu       |gygu       |'gugu        |'gugu        |'gugu        |
|2 sg.       |*gu         |gu         |gu           |             |             |
|stone axe   |*xabu       |ɣabu       |hɑbu         |'xɑbu        |xɑbu         |
|crocodile   |*xajambu    |kʲambu     |hɛ'bu        |hɛ'bu        |hɑbɑ         |
|man/husband |*xu         |ɣu         |-hu          |-ũ           |-hu          |
|milk        |*xu[N]      |ɣu         |             |             |             |
|person      |*ɾaxu       |aɣu        |ɑ'hu         |'ɑu          |ɑ'ɣu ≈ 'ɑxu  |
|voice/speech|*ɾu         |u          |u            |u            |ɾu           |
|ripe        |*jamu       |jomũ       |             |             |             |
|rattan/rope |*jɔxu       |joɣu       |jo'ɣu ≈ jo'ɣo|jo'ɣo        |jo'ɣu ≈ 'joɣo|
|inside      |*wɔmu       |womu       |wo'mu        |wo'mu        |wo'mu        |

Mid front vowel /*ɛ/ is generally retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|            |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River  |Pasue River|
|            |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon        |Ketah      |
|            |***ɛ**      |**e [ɛ]**  |**e [ɛ e]**  |**e [ɛ e]**  |**e [ɛ e]**|
|eat         |*ɛN         |ɛ̃-        |             |             |           |
|stand       |*ɛC         |ɛ-k        |ɛ            |             |           |
|goanna      |*ɛbi        |           |'ɛbi         |'ɛbi         |           |
|friend      |*apɔxɔɸɛ    |apofɛ      |             |-ɑ'pofɛ      |-ɑpoxofe   |
|laughter    |*abɛN       |'abɛ gi-k  |'ɑbə-'gi     |ɑb-gigi      |ɑb-gigi    |
|tendon      |*mɛ         |mɛ         |             |             |           |
|wound       |*pɛsɔ       |pɛso       |             |             |           |
|outside/bush|*bɛtaxa     |bɛtaɣa     |bɪ'tɑɣɑʔ     |betɑ'ɣɑʔ     |ˌbetɑ'xɑ   |
|hand/arm    |*bɛdɔ       |bɛdo ≈ bodo|be'ro        |be'ro        |bedo       |
|tongue      |*ɸagɛ       |fagɛ       |ɸɑ'gɛ ≈ fɑ'gɛ|'ɸɑgɛ ≈ 'fɑgɛ|fɑge       |
|chin        |*tɛɾɛ       |tɛ         |             |             |           |
|not         |*dɛ         |dɛ         |             |             |           |
|widow(er)   |*sɛN        |sɛ̃        |             |             |           |
|carry       |*kɛkuN      |kɛkũ-      |             |             |           |
|break/snap  |*gɛniC      |gɛni-k     |             |             |           |
|cassowary   |*kaɾʉwɛ     |           |kɑu'wɛ       |ku'wɛ        |kuwɛʔ      |
|enemy       |*kuɸɛ       |kufɛ       |             |             |           |
|worm        |*wɛɾʉ       |           |             |             |ᵘwe'ru     |

Mid back vowel /*ɔ/ is retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|               |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River |Pasue River    |
|               |            |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon       |Ketah          |
|               |***ɔ**      |**o**      |**o**        |**o**       |**o [o ɔ]**    |
|fire           |*[j]indɔ    |           |in'do        |'indo       |'indo          |
|one            |*isijɔ      |isi'o-     |-ɪsi'jo      |-'sijo      |-'sijo         |
|stone          |*iɾɔ        |io         |'ijo         |'ijo        |iro            |
|butterfly      |*apaɾɔ      |apo        |             |            |               |
|friend         |*apɔxɔɸɛ    |apofɛ      |             |-ɑ'pofɛ     |-ɑpoxofe       |
|excrement      |*ɔ          |o          |ɔ            |ɔ           |ɔ̃             |
|breast         |*ɔN         |           |õŋ           |õ           |õ:             |
|mother's bro.  |*[ɔ]mɔN     |omõ        |             |            |               |
|tail of bird   |*ɔsiɾ[ɔN]   |osia       |             |            |               |
|go up          |*ɔsuC       |osu-k      |             |            |               |
|water          |*ɔxɔ        |oɣo        |o'ɣo         |'oɣo ≈ o'ɣo |oɣo ≈ ɔ'xɔ     |
|egg            |*mʉgɔ       |mygo       |mu'go        |muŋ'go      |mu'gɔʔ         |
|behind         |*mɔ         |mo         |mo           |'mo         |mo             |
|afraid         |*mɔki       |           |mo'ki        |'moki-      |moki-          |
|cheek          |*mɔxɔN      |moɣo-pe    |             |            |               |
|coconut        |*pajɔ       |pɛjo       |pɑ'jo        |pe'jo       |'pɪjɑ ≈ pɪjo   |
|heavy          |*bɔdʉ       |body       |             |            |               |
|knee           |*bɔki[N]    |boki (?)   |             |            |'boki          |
|wound          |*pɛsɔ       |pɛso       |             |            |               |
|hand/arm       |*bɛdɔ       |bɛdo ≈ bodo|be'ro        |be'ro       |bedo           |
|short          |*bagɔ       |bago       |bɑ'go        |'bɑgo       |'bɑɣo          |
|father         |*bɔ         |           |bo           |bo          |bo             |
|soul           |*bɔn[ɔ]     |bono       |             |            |               |
|bamboo         |*ɸijɔ       |           |'ɸijo ≈ 'fijo|'fijo       |'ʍijoʔ         |
|go (imperative)|*nɔxɔⁱ      |noɣi       |no'xoⁱ       |no'xoᶦ      |               |
|wing           |*taɸijɔ     |tɛfio      |'tɛfijo      |tɑɸi'jo     |tɑ'fijo        |
|hole           |*tɔ         |-to        |-to          |-toʔ        |-to            |
|armpit         |*tɔ[ŋ]gɔN   |toŋgõ      |             |            |               |
|finger/toe     |*tɔɾɔN      |-tõ        |-toŋ         |-tɑʔ        |to'ro          |
|heart          |*dʉbɾɔ      |dybo       |'diboʔ       |            |               |
|burn (intr.)   |*dɔ         |           |do-          |dɔ-         |do-            |
|get up/stand up|*dɔtɔ       |doto-ɣ     |doto-        |dotə-       |doto-          |
|earth/ground   |*sɔxɔ       |soɣo       |so'ɣo        |so'ɣo ≈ sogo|so'xo          |
|foot/leg       |*kitɔ       |kito       |             |            |               |
|marsupial      |*k[i]sɔ     |kuso       |'kiso ≈ keso |kiso        |ˌkiso'ɑ ≈ kɪsoa|
|eye            |*kiɾɔ       |kio        |'kijo        |'kijo       |'kʲijo         |
|bad            |*kɛjɔN      |           |ken'jõ       |'kʲijo      |kijo           |
|red            |*kaŋgɔN     |kaŋgõ      |kɑŋ'go       |'kɑŋgo      |kɑŋ'gɔʔ        |
|blood          |*gɔN        |gõ         |gõŋ          |gõŋ         |goŋ            |
|mouth          |*xatɔ       |ɣato       |'xɑto        |'hɑtoʔ      |               |
|white          |*xajɔ       |           |hɑ'jo        |hɑ'jo       |xɑ'jo          |
|root           |*xajɔ       |           |'hɑjo        |'hɑjo       |'xɑjo          |
|man            |*xɔ         |ɣo         |             |            |xo             |
|walk/go        |*xɔ         |ɣo-ɣ       |             |            |xo             |
|flying fox     |*xɔŋgi      |ɣoŋgi      |             |            |               |
|ghost          |*xɔxɔⁱ      |ɣoɣi       |xo'ɣoⁱ       |xoɣo        |'xoɣo          |
|fruit/seed     |*ɾɔ         |           |             |            |-lo            |
|say/speak      |*ɾɔ         |o-ɣ        |-jo-         |-'jo-       |-'ro-          |
|hair/leaf      |*ɾɔN        |õ          |-jõŋ         |-jõŋ ≈ -roŋ |-ɾo ≈ -roʔ     |
|weep/cry       |*ɾɔN        |õ-         |             |            |               |
|older brother  |*j[a]xɔ     |e:ɣo       |-e'ho        |-jo'ɣo      |-jogo          |
|breadfruit     |*jawɔ[N]    |           |jɑ'wo        |'jõŋwo      |jo'woŋ         |
|copulate       |*jɔN        |jõ-        |             |            |               |
|thorn          |*jɔmɔxɔN    |jomo       |jomo'hõ      |jomo'ɣo     |'jomoxo        |
|3 pl.          |*jɔxɔ       |joɣo       |'joho        |'joho       |               |
|rattan/rope    |*jɔxu       |joɣu       |jo'ɣu ≈ jo'ɣo|jo'ɣo       |jo'ɣu ≈ 'joɣo  |
|night          |*wɔmiN      |womĩ       |             |            |               |
|inside         |*wɔmu       |womu       |wo'mu        |wo'mu       |wo'mu          |
|tail           |*wɔb[u]     |wobugo     |wo'bu        |wo'bu       |wo'bu          |
|thumb          |*wɔdɔ       |wodo       |             |            |               |
|bamboo knife   |*wɔki       |woki       |wi'ki (?)    |'woki       |'woki          |

Low central vowel /*a/ is generally retained as such in all descendants:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|                 |Central Awyu |Mappi River|Pasue River  |Pasue River    |Pasue River|
|                 |             |Aghu       |Taim         |Nohon          |Ketah      |
|                 |***a**       |**a**      |**a [ɑ]**    |**a [ɑ]**      |**a [ɑ]**  |
|rain             |*a           |a          |ɑ            |ɑ              |ɑ':        |
|vagina           |*a-to        |a-to       |             |               |           |
|drink (irrealis) |*amiN        |amĩ-       |ɑ'mi         |ɑ'mi           |ɑ'mi       |
|young woman      |*am[i]gi     |amigi      |             |               |           |
|butterfly        |*apaɾɔ       |apo        |             |               |           |
|friend           |*apɔxɔɸɛ     |apofɛ      |             |-ɑ'pofɛ        |-ɑpoxofe   |
|laughter         |*abɛN        |'abɛ gi-k  |'ɑbə-'gi     |ɑb-gigi        |ɑb-gigi    |
|tie              |*adaC        |ada-k      |ɑr-          |-ɑrɑ           |ɑd-        |
|eat (future)     |*a[d/nd]i[N] |adĩ-       |ɑ'ri         |ɑɾi            |ɑn'di      |
|sneeze (n.)      |*asiN        |asinaŋ     |             |               |           |
|bite             |*asiC        |asi-k      |ɑsi-         |ɑsi-           |           |
|night/dark       |*asʉ         |asy        |ɑ'sɯ         |ɑ'sɯ           |'ɑsɯ       |
|bathe/swim (irr.)|*akiN        |           |ɑki(m)-      |ɑki(m)-        |ɑki(m)-    |
|smoke/cloud      |*akʉ         |yku (?)    |'ɑku         |ɑ'ku           |-ku        |
|dog              |*aŋgi        |jaŋgi (?)  |'ɑŋgi        |'ɑŋgi          |'ɑŋgi      |
|seek/search      |*aguC        |agu-k      |ɑ'gu-        |ɑgu-           |ɑ'gu-      |
|louse            |*aŋgu        |aŋgu       |ɑŋ'gu        |'ɑŋgu          |'ɑŋgu      |
|fish             |*axaᵉ        |aɣɛ        |ɑ'ɣɑⁱ        |ɑɣɑⁱ           |ɑ'ɣe       |
|dream            |*axasʉ       |asy        |             |               |           |
|forehead         |*mika        |mika       |             |               |           |
|beard            |*mas[ʉ]      |masy       |             |               |           |
|low/below        |*m[a]kaN     |makã       |             |               |           |
|tooth            |*maga        |maga       |mɑ'gɑʔ       |mɑŋ'gɑʔ        |mɑŋgɑ      |
|excrement        |*paxa        |paɣa       |             |               |           |
|be cooked        |*paxaniC     |pani-k     |             |               |           |
|outside/bush     |*bɛtaxa      |bɛtaɣa     |bɪ'tɑɣɑʔ     |betɑ'ɣɑʔ       |ˌbetɑ'xɑ   |
|sit              |*ba          |ba-ɣ       |bɑ-          |bɑ-            |bɑ-        |
|short            |*bagɔ        |bago       |bɑ'go        |'bɑgo          |'bɑɣo      |
|tongue           |*ɸagɛ        |fagɛ       |ɸɑ'gɛ ≈ fɑ'gɛ|'ɸɑgɛ ≈ 'fɑgɛ  |fɑge       |
|1 sg. poss.      |*na          |na         |nɑ-          |nɑ-            |nɑ-        |
|eat (imperative) |*naN         |nã         |             |               |           |
|knowledge        |*naɸaN       |           |nɑ'fɑ̃ŋ      |nɑ'ɸɑ(m)-      |           |
|tired            |*taxaN       |taɣã       |             |               |           |
|hear             |*daC         |da-k       |             |dɑ-            |dɑ-        |
|torch            |*sija        |sⁱa        |             |               |           |
|in front         |*samaN       |           |sɑ'mɑʔ       |sɑ'mɑʔ         |           |
|sun              |*saw[a]      |sowo       |sɑ'wɑʔ       |sɑ'wɑʔ         |'sowɑʔ     |
|young man        |*sʉbaN       |sybã       |su'bɑŋ       |su'bɑ          |           |
|younger sib      |*kʉda        |kyda       |ku'dɑh       |kurɑ           |ku'dɑʔ     |
|moon             |*kamu        |           |kɑ'muʔ       |kɑ'muʔ         |           |
|branch           |*kabi[ja]N   |kabiã      |             |               |           |
|red              |*kaŋgɔN      |kaŋgõ      |kɑŋ'go       |'kɑŋgo         |kɑŋ'gɔʔ    |
|leech            |*kaɾijaN     |           |             |'kɑɾijɑ ≈ kɛ'jɑ|'kɑlijɑŋ   |
|dry              |*kaɾa        |           |kɑ'jɑ        |kɑ'rɑ          |           |
|2 sg. poss.      |*ga          |ga         |             |               |           |
|skin/bark        |*xa          |ɣa         |hɑ ≈ xɑ      |xɑ ≈ hɑ ≈ -ɣɑ  |xɑ         |
|centipede        |*xa          |ɣa         |             |               |           |
|head             |*xaⁱbaN      |ɣabã       |hɑ'bɑŋ       |hɑ'bɑ          |haⁱbɑʔ     |
|far              |*xamaN       |           |hɑ'mɑ        |'hɑm-          |xɑ'mɑʔ     |
|stone axe        |*xabu        |ɣabu       |hɑbu         |'xɑbu          |xɑbu       |
|palate           |*xa[na]N kadu|ɣaŋgadu    |             |               |           |
|mouth            |*xatɔ        |ɣato       |'xɑto        |'hɑtoʔ         |           |
|spear            |*xasi        |ɣasi       |             |               |           |
|spittle          |*xasi        |ɣasi       |             |               |           |
|be in pain       |*xaɾim[ɛ]    |ɣaⁱmɛ      |             |               |           |
|be enough        |*xaɾiniC     |ɣaⁱni-k    |             |               |           |
|fence            |*xaɾija      |           |hɑi          |'xɑjɑ          |'hɑɾijɑ    |
|white            |*xajɔ        |           |hɑ'jo        |hɑ'jo          |xɑ'jo      |
|root             |*xajɔ        |           |'hɑjo        |'hɑjo          |'xɑjo      |
|take/hold        |*ɾa          |a-ɣ        |ja-          |               |           |
|woman            |*ɾaN         |ã ≈ a:n-   |dʒɑ̃ ≈ ɑ̃    |ɑ̃             |ɑ̃         |
|person           |*ɾaxu        |aɣu        |ɑ'hu         |'ɑu            |ɑ'ɣu ≈ 'ɑxu|
|breadfruit       |*jawɔ[N]     |           |jɑ'wo        |'jõŋwo         |jo'woŋ     |
|left/lame        |*wa          |wa         |-wɑ          |               |           |
|3 sg. poss.      |*wa-         |---        |wɑ-          |wɑ-            |wɑ-        |
|small            |*wadi        |           |wɑ'ri        |'wɑri          |'wɑdi      |

When low central /*a/ is followed in the next syllable by high vowels /*i *ʉ *u/, there is a tendency for it to be raised to [ɛ] and [ɔ] respectively. This isn't exceptionless in any dialect (above,) but appears to be strongest in Taim:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|               |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River |Pasue River  |Pasue River|
|               |            |Aghu       |Taim        |Nohon        |Ketah      |
|               |***a/_Ci**  |**a ɛ**    |**e**       |**ɑ ɛ**      |**ɑ**      |
|mother's mother|*api        |api        |e'pi        |ɑ'pi         |           |
|older sister   |*ani        |eni        |            |             |           |
|male           |*basiN      |basĩ       |be'siŋ      |bɛsi         |           |
|wing           |*taɸijɔ     |tɛfio      |'tɛfijo     |tɑɸi'jo      |tɑ'fijo    |
|sweat          |*kasiN      |kɛsĩ       |            |             |           |
|paddle         |*kaxʷi      |kɛfi       |kɑ'fi       |kɑ'ɸi        |'kɑxɛ      |
|good           |*jaɸi       |jafi       |jɛ'fi       |             |           |
|               |***a/_Cʉ**  |**o**      |**o ə**     |**ɑ o**      |**ɑ o**    |
|stomach        |*madʉ       |mody       |məru        |             |           |
|old (things)   |*pasʉ       |poʃy       |po'sɯ       |posi         |po'sɯ      |
|cold           |*taɾʉ       |ty         |'tou ≈ to'du|to'ru        |tɑ'ɾu      |
|belly          |*kakʉ       |koky       |ko'ku       |kɑ'ku        |'kɑku      |
|canoe          |*jaxʷʉN     |jofỹ       |jo'ɸuŋ      |jo'ɸu        |'joxu      |
|               |***a/_Cu**  |**o u**    |**o**       |**o**        |**ɑ**      |
|flesh          |*kadu       |kudu       |ko'ru       |ko'ru ≈ ko'ro|kɑ'du      |
|ripe           |*jamu       |jomũ       |            |             |           |

Diphthongs /*ɔⁱ *aⁱ *aᵉ/ are uncommon:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|               |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|               |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|               |***ɔⁱ**     |**i**      |**o**      |**ɔⁱ**     |**o**      |
|go (imperative)|*nɔxɔⁱ      |noɣi       |no'xoⁱ     |no'xoᶦ     |           |
|ghost          |*xɔxɔⁱ      |ɣoɣi       |xo'ɣoⁱ     |xoɣo       |'xoɣo      |
|               |***aⁱ**     |**aⁱ a**   |**a [ɑ]**  |**a [ɑ]**  |**aⁱ**     |
|give birth     |*xaⁱ        |ɣai-fi-oɣ  |           |           |           |
|head           |*xaⁱbaN     |ɣabã       |hɑ'bɑŋ     |hɑ'bɑ      |haⁱbɑʔ     |
|               |***aᵉ**     |**ɛ**      |**aⁱ [ɑⁱ]**|**aⁱ [ɑⁱ]**|**e**      |
|fish           |*axaᵉ       |aɣɛ        |ɑ'ɣɑⁱ      |ɑɣɑⁱ       |ɑ'ɣe       |

===== Pronouns =====
Central Awyu free pronouns are reconstructed as follows, with forms drawn from Drabbe (1957: 6-7) and from Kriens and Lebold (2010: 42):

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|     |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|     |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|1 sg.|*nu         |nu         |nũ         |nũ         |nũ         |
|2 sg.|*gu         |gu         |gu         |?          |?          |
|3 sg.|*ɛ-(gi)     |efe        |ɪgɪ        |?          |?          |
|1 pl.|*nʉgu       |nygu       |'nugu      |'nugu      |nugu       |
|2 pl.|*gʉgu       |gygu       |'gugu      |'gugu      |'gugu      |
|3 pl.|*jɔxɔ       |joɣo       |'joho      |'joho      |?          |

Singular pronouns are reconstructed as follows. The third singular is attested only prefixed to kin terms:

|< - 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px >|
|           |Central Awyu|Mappi River|Pasue River|Pasue River|Pasue River|
|           |            |Aghu       |Taim       |Nohon      |Ketah      |
|1 sg. poss.|*na         |na         |nɑ-        |nɑ-        |nɑ-        |
|2 sg. poss.|*ga         |ga         |?          |?          |?          |
|3 sg. poss.|*wa-        |---        |wɑ-        |wɑ-        |wɑ-        |