Timothy Usher, Santa Fe Institute, developed with Robert Petterson
Kaser, also known as Ikobi-Mena following Franklin (1973,) is spoken in at least seven villages along the Turama and Kikori rivers in Papua New Guinea's Gulf province. It is partially mutually intelligible with its nearest relatives, Mouwase along the Omati river to the southeast and Barikewa to the north. According to Petterson, there are three dialects of Kaser, the Turama River dialect spoken in Kuri, Moka Faia and Koumaio villages, the Kikori River dialect in Baina and Siaviti villages and the Dukemi dialect of Sorobo village (Petterson 2011: 4.) Franklin's Mena likely represents a fourth dialect.
Saunders (1923-1924: 57) 118 comparative terms for Dugeme (Dukemi)
Franklin ed. (1973: 573-575) 100 comparative terms for Ikobi-Kairi (Kikori River) and Mena
Carr (2006) 190 comparative terms for Kaser of Koumaiou village (Turama River)
Petterson (2011) phonology of Kaser of Koumaio village (Turama River)
Petterson (2011) dictionary of Kaser (531 terms)
Petterson (2014) Kaser verb morphology
Petterson (2014) Dukemi story
In addition to these, a survey vocabulary of Kaser was provided in spreadsheet form by Paul Whitehouse via the Summer Institute of Linguistics Ukarumpa, but it is unattributed. It is not the same as Franklin's or Carr's data.
[under construction]
The phonology presented here is based largely upon Petterson's (2011, 2011) unpublished dictionary and phonology of Turama River Kaser, supplemented by personal communication, with other Kaser attestations provided by Saunders' (1923-1924,) Franklin's (1973,) and Carr's (2006) vocabularies, and informed by outcomparison to Mouwase, Barikewa and Rumu. As this is a phonology of archaic Kaser, it does not include the most recent loans or the phonemic contrasts that they've introduced.
Petterson (2011 ibid.) gives 11 consonants and 8 vowels for Turama River Kaser of Koumaio village as follows:
m | n | |||
t | k | |||
b | d | |||
ɸ | s | h | ||
β | r |
i | u | |
e | ə | o |
ɛ | ||
a | ɒ |
We present an only slightly modified system for Archaic Kaser, with 12 consonants and 7 vowels as follows:
m | n | |||
t | k | |||
b | d | |||
ɸ | s | h | ||
w | r | j |
i | u | |
e̞ | o̞ | |
ɛ | ɔ | |
a |
Apical voiceless stop /t/, reflecting proto-Omati River /*d/, is found root-initially, with only a few examples of medial /t/.
Apical voiced stop /d/ occurs only root-initially and is found only in loans, particularly from Foiafoia of the Inland Gulf family; however it is well-established and likely predates archaic Kaser.
Unoccluded fricative /h/ is found only initially (Petterson 2011: 11,) where it reflects Omati River apical voiceless stop /*t/.
Bilabial non-stop /w/ is realized as a semivowel [w] initially and as voiced fricative or semivowel [β w] medially. Historically, medial [*β] reflects voiced stop /*b/, not /*w/, but medial [b] /b/ is well-established in loanwords, some of which may well date to the time of proto-Omati River, necessitating a phonemic reassignment of phonetic values. Petterson's system gives this combined phoneme, including what are given here as reflexes of final /b/ (below) as /β/ <v> with the stipulation that initial /β/ is realized as [w] (2011: 21-22.)
Apical non-stop /r/ does not occur initially except in recent loans. It is realized as tap [ɾ] medially and as trill [r] finally (2011. 9, 20.)
Consonant clusters occur only in across morpheme boundaries in compounds.
Only a restricted set of consonants occurs word-finally:
m | n |
b | |
ɸ | s |
r |
Generally, any vowel can occur with any other vowel in the same root. High mid vowels /e̞ o̞/ are subject to a cooccurence restriction, such that high mid /e̞/ does not occur in the same root as other front vowels /i ɛ/, while high mid /o̞/ does not occur with other back vowels /u ɔ/.
…
These phonemes and their distributions are exemplified as follows, with Turama River Kaser attestations drawn from Carr (2006) and Petterson (2011, 2011, p.c.) Mena and Ikobi-Kairi from Franklin (1973: 573-575) and Dugeme from Saunders (1923-1924: 57,) with Petterson's (2014) Dukemi attestastions indicated by [rp].
For clarity, our presentation is divided into four sections, beginning with initial and medial consonants, followed by final consonants, then vowels, then vowel sequences and diphthongs.
Bilabial nasal /m/ is retained as such in all dialects:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
m- | m | m | m | m | m | |
house | min | mīn | min | mina [rp] | ||
meat/flesh | mis | mis | mis | misi | mis | |
speech | me̞n | mèn | min | |||
not/nothing | məⁱ | mai ≈ mə̄i | məi- | |||
fish | məⁱ | mə̀i | mɨ̃i | mãĩ | mai | moi |
who? | ma | mā | mɑ́ | ma-iɛ | ma-e | |
thumb | ma | -mà | -mɑ | |||
bow | ma | mà | ma | |||
head | mab | màβ | mɑβ | maβo | mapʰ | maue |
goura pigeon | mabuɔ | mabuɔ̂ | ||||
on/at | manɛ | manɛ | ||||
old man | makəⁱ | makə̀i | mɑ'kəi | |||
big | makəᵘwu | makauβu | mɑ'kuβu | makubʷ- | makʌbu | makuβu [rp] |
knee | maku | mɑ'ku | maku | magu | maku | |
branch/finger | mar | mar | mari | |||
yes | mɔ | mɔ́ | mo | |||
but | -mɔ | -mɔ | ||||
again | mɔtɛ[ri] | mɔtɛrî | ||||
cloud | mo̞ | -mō | -mo | mo ≈ -mu | ||
water | m[u] | mū | mu | mu | mũ | mu |
-m- | m | m | m | m | m | |
bad | ɸami | ɸəmí | ɸɑmí | |||
egg | tamɛ | tamɛ̀ | tɑme | tʌmɛ | ||
theft | tan | tan | ||||
soft | tarama | taramà | ||||
navel | tuma | tuma | ||||
afternoon | sama | samá | sɑmɑ | |||
view (n.) | sumin | sumín | ||||
pitpit sp. | sumɛn | sumɛn | ||||
bandicoot | suma | sumá | ||||
dirt | kimi | kimì | ||||
wet | kimin | kimín | ki'min | |||
heart | kam[u] | kamù | 'kɑmu | kʌmuu | kamu | |
small | kɔse̞-me̞ | kɔse-me | 'kos-mi | kɔsi-mɛ | ||
tongue | ko̞mɛn | komɛ́n | ku'mén | kumɛn | kumen | komeni |
mouth | ko̞-mɛr | kò-mɛ́r | 'ku-mer | ko-mɛrʌ | ||
kina shell sp. | kusi-mar | kusí-mar |
Apical nasal /n/ is retained as such in all dialects:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
n- | n | n | n | n | n | |
name | ne̞ne̞n | nenén | ninín | nɛnɛne | nanini | |
eat/drink | na- | nə- ≈ na- | nɑ- | nʌ- | no- | |
friend/relative | naɸu | nafu | ||||
sky | nɔr | nɔ́r | noɾ | nora- | ||
-n- | n | n | n | n | n | |
ergative | -nɛ | -nɛ | -ne | -nɛ [rp] | ||
1 sg. | ina | inâ ≈ na | inɑ | ina | ina | inau; ina [rp] |
another | aⁱna | aina | aina [rp] | |||
on/at | manɛ | manɛ | ||||
come | be̞n- | ben- | bin- | |||
when? | bɛsanɛ | bɛsanɛ̂ | bi'sɑne | |||
name | ne̞ne̞n | nenén | ninín | nɛnɛne | nanini | |
cassowary | sikina | sikinà | sigi'nɑ | sigina | ||
pinkie | kɛnɔ | -kɛnɔ́ | -keno | |||
knowledge | kane̞ | kane | kɑ'ni- | kani- | kane- | |
man | wane̞ | βané | wo'ni- | wɔne ≈ wʌne | wane ≈ wani | wani |
Apical voiceless stop /t/ is retained as such in all dialects. Root-medial /t/ is uncommon:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
t- | t | t | t | t | t | |
enough | ti- | ti- | ||||
wasp | tin | tìn | ||||
path | tɛⁱ | rei (?) | ||||
wallaby | tɛbɛrɛ | tɛ̀bɛrɛ | 'tebeɾe | teberi | ||
hit/beat/kill | tɛ-ke̞- | tɛ̄-kɛ- | teke- ≈ teki- | tɛki- | teke- | tɛke- [rp] |
egg | təᵘm | -tə́um | -tɔumu | tʌom ≈ -tom | ||
clothing | taᵒ | táo | ||||
egg | tamɛ | tamɛ̀ | tɑme | tʌmɛ | ||
bathe | taɸu | taɸu | ||||
elbow | taku | -tɑ'ku | ||||
father | tawu | taβu | tɑβu | |||
soft | tarama | taramà | ||||
see | to̞- | to- | tu- | to- | to- [rp] | |
excrement | tu | tù | ||||
navel | tuma | tuma | ||||
index finger | tuɸ | -tùɸ | tufu ≈ tufo ≈ -tu | |||
-t- | -t- | -t- | -t- | |||
older sibling | at[ɛ] | atè | ɑte | ate | ||
again | mɔtɛ[ri] | mɔtɛrî | ||||
straight/correct | wati | βətí | ||||
goanna sp. | wasitar | βasitàr |
Velar voiceless stop /k/ is retained as such in all dialects:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
k- | k | k | k | k [k kʰ] | k | |
morning | kiɔm | kiɔ̀m | kjom | |||
dirt | kimi | kimì | ||||
wet | kimin | kimín | ki'min | |||
sand | kiki | kiki | kiki | |||
say/do | ke̞- | ke | ke- | -ke- | ke- [rp] | |
ant | ke̞ɸe̞n | keɸèn | ||||
mosquito | ke̞so̞n | kesón | kisunu | |||
cold | ke̞we̞ | keβè | kiβi | kivi | ||
pinkie | kɛnɔ | -kɛnɔ́ | -keno | |||
side | kɛs[a] | kɛs(a) | kɛsa [rp] | |||
tusk | kɛsɛka | kisⁱ'kɑ | ||||
yam | kɛsab | kesɑβ | kesavo | |||
turtle | kɛsɔ | kɛsɔ́ | ||||
blood | kəⁱ | kə́i | kəi | kai | kai | |
tooth | kəⁱjɔ̃ | kəiɔ̃̄ | kɑiõ | kãĩjɔ̃ | kãĩjo | keo |
tail | kəᵘ | kə̀u | kəu | ku | kao | |
back | kəᵘr | kəur | kɑ'wur | |||
old | kaⁱ | kai | kɑi | |||
rat/mouse | kaⁱɸari | kɑiɸa'ɾi | kaifari | |||
bird | kaᵉ | káɛ | kɑe | kaiɛ ≈ kai | kae ≈ kai | ka |
netbag sp. | kaᵉ | kāɛ | kɑe | |||
stone/rock | kam | kām | kɑm | kamə | kam | kamu |
heart | kam[u] | kamù | 'kɑmu | kʌmuu | kamu | |
drum | kab | káβ | ||||
rain/snake | kab | kap | kavu | |||
night | kaɸo̞n | kaɸon ≈ kaɸún | kɑɸun | kʌɸoˑn(u) | kafun | |
belly | kan | kàn | 'kɑmbɑɾu | kamburu | kan | kambubu |
knowledge | kane̞ | kane | kɑ'ni- | kani- | kane- | |
dog | kas | kās | kɑs | kasə | kas | kase |
new | kasi | kɑ'sí | ||||
black | kasiɔ | kɑ'su ≈ kɑ'sio | kʌsio | kasio | ||
die | kase̞- | kas- | kɑsi- | kasi- | kasi- | |
ashes | kawia | kɑβiɑ́ | kabia | |||
netbag sp. | kawɔs | kaβɔs | kɑβos | kavoso | ||
sit/stay | kari- | kəri | kɑ'ɾi- | kar-/kari- | ||
face/front (?) | karu | -kɑɾu | ||||
ear | kɔwi | kɔβi | 'koβi | kovi | kupi | kovi |
thing | kɔn | kɔ̄n | ||||
pig | kɔn | kɔ̀n | kon | kono | ||
small | kɔse̞(-me̞) | kɔse(-me) | 'kos-mi | 'kuse | kose ≈ kɔsi-mɛ | |
skin/bark | kɔr | kɔr | koɾ | kora ≈ koro | kʷaru ≈ koro | |
person | k[ɔ/o̞]wɛ | kɔβɛ́ ≈ koβɛ | koβe ≈ kuβe | koβɛ [rp] | ||
mouth | ko̞ | kò- | 'ku- | ko- | kʰo | ku- |
hear | ko̞- | ko- | ku- | ko- | -ko- | |
laugh | ko̞a | koa- | koɑ- ≈ kwɑ- | |||
tongue | ko̞mɛn | komɛ́n | ku'mén | kumɛn | kumen | komeni |
lung(s) | ko̞sɛ | 'kuse | ||||
corpse | ko̞wo̞ | koβo | ||||
rain | ko̞re̞ | kore | kuɾí | kore | kuru | |
fire/firewood | k[u]m | kùm | kum | kumu ≈ kumo | kom ≈ kum | kumu |
banana | k[o̞/u]n | kun | kunu | |||
dry | ku | ku | ku | |||
top | kui | kui | ||||
song/dance | kuin | kuīn | kuin- | |||
flying fox | kubɛⁱ | kubei | ||||
short | kuɸi | ku'ɸi | ||||
kina shell | kusi(-mar) | kusí(-mar) | ||||
cut up | kusu | kusu | ||||
louse | kurɔm | ku'ɾom | kuromə | kurom | kuromo | |
claw/nail | kujɔ̃ | kuiṍ | ||||
-k- | k | k | k [k g] | k [k g] | k | |
old man | makəⁱ | makə̀i | mɑ'kəi | |||
big | makəᵘwu | makauβu | mɑ'kuβu | makubʷ- | makʌbu | makuβu [rp] |
knee | maku | mɑ'ku | maku | magu | maku | |
neck | bo̞kɔ | bokɔ̀ | bu'ko | bogʌhau | buko | |
chest | ɸaka | ɸakà | ||||
hit/beat/kill | tɛ-ke̞- | tɛ̄-kɛ- | teke- ≈ teki- | tɛki- | teke- | tɛke- [rp] |
elbow | taku | -tɑ'ku | ||||
path | dikɛ | dikɛ́ | 'dike | dikɛ | dike; dikɛ [rp] | |
bean | dukɔr | dukɔr | dukoɾ | |||
cassowary | sikina | sikinà | sigi'nɑ | sigina | ||
father's sister | sikas[e̞] | sikasè | ||||
one | sakan | sakán | sɑ'kɑn | sʌkanɛ | sʌkanɛ | saka |
tobacco | so̞ko̞ | sokó | suku | suku | suku | |
tusk | kɛsɛka | kisⁱ'kɑ | ||||
sand | kiki | kiki | kiki |
Bilabial voiced stop /b/ is retained as such in all dialects. Medial /b/ [b] occurs only in loans:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
b- | b | b | b | b | b | |
lie down/sleep | bis- | bis- | bìs- | bis- | bis- | |
come | be̞n- | ben- | bin- | |||
turn over | bɛ- | bɛ- | ||||
woman | bɛs | bɛs | bes | bɛse | besi | bese |
when? | bɛsanɛ | bɛsanɛ̂ | bi'sɑne | |||
sap | bəⁱ | bəi | ||||
child | bəᵘm | baum ≈ bə́um | bɑun- ≈ -bom | bomu | ||
palm/sole | -baᵉ | -bàɛ | -bai | |||
club | baᵉ | bàɛ | -bɑi | |||
break | baᵉ- | bəɛ | ||||
fly (v.) | baᵒ- | baɔ- ≈ bəo- | bou- | bo- | ||
coconut | basi | basi | bosi | |||
old (thing) | bari | bɑɾí | ||||
hair/leaf/feather | bɔr | -bɔ̀r | -bor ≈ -bo:ɾo | -boru ≈ -boro | -poro ≈ -boro | -boro |
ring finger | bɔr | -bɔ̀r | boro | |||
neck | bo̞kɔ | bokɔ̀ | bu'ko | bogʌhau | buko | |
dove | bɔrɛ | bɔ́rɛ̀ | ||||
-b- | b | b | ? | ? | b [b v] | |
father | aba | abá ≈ abɔ̀ | ||||
goura pigeon | mabuɔ | mabuɔ̂ | ||||
wallaby | tɛbɛrɛ | tɛ̀bɛrɛ | 'tebeɾe | teberi | ||
crocodile | sibira | sibirá | sivira | |||
flying fox | kubɛⁱ | kubei |
Apical voiced stop /d/ is found only root-initially in loans. Medial [d] indicates a compound or reduplication (Petterson 2011: 9) The only example of initial /d/ in Franklin's Ikobi-Kairi vocabulary is given as non-stop [r]:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
d- | d | d | d | r | d | |
body | din | dìn | -dini | |||
path | dikɛ | dikɛ́ | 'dike | dikɛ | dike; dikɛ [rp] | |
rip/tear | d[e̞]- | dɛs- | ||||
pandanus sp. | dəᵘ | də́u | ||||
sago | dam | dám | damu | |||
go up | dab- | daβ ≈ daβɔ | ||||
heavy | dawi | dɑβí | ||||
good | darɔ | darɔ̀ | 'dɑɾo | daro | raro | |
lime | dɔ | do | ||||
make | dɔ-dɔ | dɔdɔ̀ | ||||
fall | dɔɸi- | dɔɸi | ||||
after/behind | du | dù | ||||
fireplace | dum | dúm | dumu | |||
bean | dukɔr | dukɔr | dukoɾ | |||
middle finger | duwa | -duβá | -dua | |||
share | duwa | duβa |
Bilabial fricative /ɸ/ is retained as such in all dialects:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
ɸ- | ɸ | ɸ | ? | ? | ɸ [f] | |
taro | ɸe̞r | ɸér | ɸiɾ | firi | ||
knife | ɸe̞r-baᵉ | ɸer-bàɛ | ɸiɾ-bɑi | |||
take | ɸa- | ɸa- | ɸa- | |||
day | ɸaᵉ | ɸàɛ | ||||
bad | ɸami | ɸəmí | ɸɑmí | |||
chest | ɸaka | ɸakà | ||||
finish | ɸ[ɔ]rɔ- | ɸɔrɔ́- | ||||
take | ɸo̞- | ɸo- | ɸu- | ɸo- [rp] | ||
-ɸ- | ɸ | ɸ | ɸ | ɸ [f] | ɸ [f] | |
light (weight) | ɛɸɛ | ɛɸɛ́ | eɸe | |||
friend/relative | naɸu | nafu | ||||
bathe | taɸu | taɸu | ||||
fall | dɔɸi- | dɔɸi | ||||
ant | ke̞ɸe̞n | keɸèn | ||||
rat/mouse | kaⁱɸari | kɑiɸa'ɾi | kaifari | |||
night | kaɸo̞n | kaɸon ≈ kaɸún | kɑɸun | kʌɸoˑn(u) | kafun | |
short | kuɸi | ku'ɸi |
Fricative /s/ is retained as such in all dialects:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
s- | s | s | s | s | s | |
eye | si | sì | si | si | si | si |
flower | si | -sī | ||||
star | sĩ-kuin | sinkwin | sĩgwin | |||
crocodile | sibira | sibirá | sivira | |||
smoke | sin | -sín | ʃini | -si | ||
cassowary | sikina | sikinà | sigi'nɑ | sigina | ||
father's sister | sikas[e̞] | sikasè | ||||
w. cockatoo | siwa | siβà | siba | |||
hand/arm | se̞ | sè | si | sɛ- | se | si- ≈ se- |
three | se̞r | sēr | siɾ | siri | ||
extinguish | se̞re̞- | sere- | ||||
hard | sɛs | sɛs | ||||
hornbill | s[əᵘ] | so | ||||
fat/grease | sam | sɑm | samm̥ | sam | ||
afternoon | sama | samá | sɑmɑ | |||
bamboo torch | sab | sáβ | ||||
one | sakan | sakán | sɑ'kɑn | sʌkanɛ | sʌkanɛ | saka |
white | sawia | saβia | sɑβiɑ́ | saβia | sabiai | |
egret | saw[aᵉ][i]ɔ | saβaɛiɔ̀≈saβaio | ||||
earth/ground | sawɔ | saβɔ́ | sɑ'βo | sabo | savo | |
pandanus sp. | sɔ | sɔ̄ | ||||
long | sɔ | sɔ̀ | so | so | ||
frog | sɔwɛ | sɔβɛ́ | soβe | |||
breast/milk | sõ̞ | sȭ | su | sõ | sõ | su |
garden | so̞n | son | ||||
tobacco | so̞ko̞ | sokó | suku | suku | suku | |
echidna | suɔb | suɔβ | ||||
view (n.) | sumin | sumín | ||||
pitpit sp. | sumɛn | sumɛn | ||||
bandicoot | suma | sumá | ||||
-s- | s | s | s | s | s | |
grass | asan | asàn | ||||
weep/cry | us- | us- | ||||
lie down/sleep | bis- | bis- | bìs- | bis- | bis- | |
when? | bɛsanɛ | bɛsanɛ̂ | bi'sɑne | |||
rip/tear | d[e̞]- | dɛs- | ||||
coconut | basi | basi | bosi | |||
father's sister | sikas[e̞] | sikasè | ||||
mosquito | ke̞so̞n | kesón | kisunu | |||
tusk | kɛsɛka | kisⁱ'kɑ | ||||
yam | kɛsab | kesɑβ | kesavo | |||
turtle | kɛsɔ | kɛsɔ́ | ||||
new | kasi | kɑ'sí | ||||
black | kasiɔ | kɑ'su ≈ kɑ'sio | kʌsio | kasio | ||
die | kase̞- | kas- | kɑsi- | kasi- | kasi- | |
small | kɔse̞(-me̞) | kɔse(-me) | 'kos-mi | 'kuse | kose ≈ kɔsi-mɛ | |
lung(s) | ko̞sɛ | 'kuse | ||||
kina shell | kusi(-mar) | kusí(-mar) | ||||
cut up | kusu | kusu | ||||
goanna sp. | wasitar | βasitàr | ||||
moon | wasiwa | βasiβà | wɑsiβa | wasibia | wasiba | wasiwa |
spear | wasum | wɑsum |
Unoccluded fricative /h/ occurs only root-initially. It is retained as such in all dialects:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
h- | h | h | h | h | h | |
yesterday | he̞r | hēɾ | hiɾ | |||
base/root | hɛⁱ | hɛ́i ≈ həi | -heí | -he | -hai | |
canoe | həᵘ | həu | ||||
paddle | həᵘria | həuriá | sauria [sic] | |||
stand | ha- | ha- | hɑ- | ha- | ha- | ha- [rp] |
fruit/seed | hãᵉ | haɛ ≈ hã́ɛ | haiɛ | |||
leg | hãᵉ | hâɛ | hɑ̃i | hãi | hae | hai |
two | hãᵉ | hã̄ɛ ≈ haɛ | hɑ̃ẽ | hãiɛ | hae | hai |
ginger | hãᵒ | háɔ̃ ≈ hãõ | ||||
bone | hab | háβ | hɑβ | havo | hap | hapu |
snake | har | hār | hɑɾ | |||
cook | hari- | həri |
Bilabial non-stop /w/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
w- | w [w] <β v> | w | w | w | w | |
shoulder | w[i] | wi | -wi | |||
seedling | w[ə̃ⁱ] | wə̃ĩ | -we | |||
areca nut | wab | βàβ | wabu | |||
man | wane̞ | βané | wo'ni- | wɔne ≈ wʌne | wane ≈ wani | wani |
straight/correct | wati | βətí | ||||
sago hammer | was | βàs | ||||
goanna sp. | wasitar | βasitàr | ||||
spear | wasum | wɑsum | ||||
anger | war | βar | war [rp] | |||
kite sp. | wariɛ | βáríɛ̀ | ||||
people | wɔm | βɔ́m | wom- | |||
moon | wasiwa | βasiβà | wɑsiβa | wasibia | wasiba | wasiwa |
-w- | w [β w] | w [β] | w [b β v] | w [b p] | w [v w] | |
Terminalia sp. | iwi | iβì | ||||
now/today | iwir | iβir | ||||
wind | iwa | iβà | 'iwɑ | uwa | ||
thought | o̞we̞ | oβe | ||||
big | makəᵘwu | makauβu | mɑ'kuβu | makubʷ- | makʌbu | makuβu [rp] |
father | tawu | taβu | tɑβu | |||
heavy | dawi | dɑβí | ||||
middle finger | duwa | -duβá | -dua | |||
share | duwa | duβa | ||||
w. cockatoo | siwa | siβà | siba | |||
white | sawia | saβia | sɑβiɑ́ | saβia | sabiai | |
egret | saw[aᵉ][i]ɔ | saβaɛiɔ̀≈saβaio | ||||
earth/ground | sawɔ | saβɔ́ | sɑ'βo | sabo | savo | |
frog | sɔwɛ | sɔβɛ́ | soβe | |||
cold | ke̞we̞ | keβè | kiβi | kivi | ||
ashes | kawia | kɑβiɑ́ | kabia | |||
netbag sp. | kawɔs | kaβɔs | kɑβos | kavoso | ||
ear | kɔwi | kɔβi | 'koβi | kovi | kupi | kovi |
person | k[ɔ/o̞]wɛ | kɔβɛ́ ≈ koβɛ | koβe ≈ kuβe | koβɛ [rp] | ||
corpse | ko̞wo̞ | koβo | ||||
moon | wasiwa | βasiβà | wɑsiβa | wasibia | wasiba | wasiwa |
vine | jawu | iɑβu |
Apical non-stop /r/ does not occur initially. …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
-r- | ||||||
bamboo | o̞ro̞ | oro | uro | |||
old (thing) | bari | bɑɾí | ||||
dove | bɔrɛ | bɔ́rɛ̀ | ||||
finish | ɸ[ɔ]rɔ- | ɸɔrɔ́- | ||||
wallaby | tɛbɛrɛ | tɛ̀bɛrɛ | 'tebeɾe | teberi | ||
soft | tarama | taramà | ||||
good | darɔ | darɔ̀ | 'dɑɾo | daro | raro | |
crocodile | sibira | sibirá | sivira | |||
extinguish | se̞re̞- | sere- | ||||
rat/mouse | kaⁱɸari | kɑiɸa'ɾi | kaifari | |||
sit/stay | kari- | kəri | kɑ'ɾi- | kar-/kari- | ||
face/front (?) | karu | -kɑɾu | ||||
rain | ko̞re̞ | kore | kuɾí | kore | kuru | |
louse | kurɔm | ku'ɾom | kuromə | kurom | kuromo | |
paddle | həᵘria | həuriá | sauria [sic] | |||
cook | hari- | həri | ||||
kite sp. | wariɛ | βáríɛ̀ |
Palatal non-stop /j/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
j- | j | j | ||||
taboo | jab | jaβ | ||||
vine | jawu | iɑβu | ||||
yellow | j[a]ja | jijɑ | jɛja | |||
sugarcane | jɔᵘ | jou | io | |||
point | ju | -ju | ||||
-j- | j | j | ||||
tooth | kəⁱjɔ̃ | kəiɔ̃̄ | kɑiõ | kãĩjɔ̃ | kãĩjo | keo |
claw/nail | kujɔ̃ | kuiṍ | ||||
yellow | j[a]ja | jijɑ | jɛja |
Only a restricted set of consonants /m n b ɸ s r/ occurs finally. Like Mouwase, the Mena and Dukemi dialects disallow final consonants, appending a vowel to them to conform with this rule. This is typically a duplication of the vowel in the preceding syllable, unless the preceding vowel is low central /a/, in which case a back vowel [u o̞ ɔ] is appended following bilabials /m b ɸ/ and a front vowel [i e̞ ɛ] following apicals /n s r/.
Bilabial nasal /m/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
-m/u_ | m | m | mo mu | m | mu | |
fireplace | dum | dúm | dumu | |||
fire/firewood | k[u]m | kùm | kum | kumu ≈ kumo | kom ≈ kum | kumu |
spear | wasum | wɑsum | ||||
-m/əᵘ_ | m | m | mu | m | mu | |
child | bəᵘm | baum ≈ bə́um | bɑun- ≈ -bom | bomu | ||
egg | təᵘm | -tə́um | -tɔumu | tʌom ≈ -tom | ||
-m/ɔ_ | m | m | mə | m | mo | |
morning | kiɔm | kiɔ̀m | kjom | |||
louse | kurɔm | ku'ɾom | kuromə | kurom | kuromo | |
people | wɔm | βɔ́m | wom- | |||
-m/a_ | m | m | mə | m | mu | |
sago | dam | dám | damu | |||
fat/grease | sam | sɑm | samm̥ | sam | ||
stone/rock | kam | kām | kɑm | kamə | kam | kamu |
Apical nasal /n/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
-n/i_ | n | n | ni | n | ni na | |
house | min | mīn | min | mina [rp] | ||
wasp | tin | tìn | ||||
body | din | dìn | -dini | |||
smoke | sin | -sín | ʃini | -si [sic] | ||
view (n.) | sumin | sumín | ||||
wet | kimin | kimín | ki'min | |||
-n/ui_ | n | n | n | ? | ? | |
song/dance | kuin | kuīn | kuin- | |||
star | sĩ-kuin | sinkwin | sĩgwin | |||
-n/e̞_ | n | n | ne | ni | ? | |
speech | me̞n | mèn | min | |||
name | ne̞ne̞n | nenén | ninín | nɛnɛne | nanini | |
ant | ke̞ɸe̞n | keɸèn | ||||
-n/o̞_ | n | n | n nu | n | nu | |
garden | so̞n | son | ||||
mosquito | ke̞so̞n | kesón | kisunu | |||
night | kaɸo̞n | kaɸon ≈ kaɸún | kɑɸun | kʌɸoˑn(u) | kafun | |
-n/ɛ_ | n | n | ? | n ni | ni | |
this/here | ɛn | ɛn | en | ɛn-aᵘ | eni | |
pitpit sp. | sumɛn | sumɛn | ||||
tongue | ko̞mɛn | komɛ́n | ku'mén | kumɛn | kumen | komeni |
-n/ɔ_ | n | n | ? | ? | no | |
thing | kɔn | kɔ̄n | ||||
pig | kɔn | kɔ̀n | kon | kono | ||
-n/a_ | n | n | nɛ | nɛ | ? | |
grass | asan | asàn | ||||
theft | tan | tan | ||||
one | sakan | sakán | sɑ'kɑn | sʌkanɛ | sʌkanɛ | saka [sic] |
belly | kan | kàn | kan |
Bilabial voiced stop /b/ … :
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
-b/_u | β | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
liver | ub | ùβ | ||||
-b/e̞_ | β | β | be [v] | b [pʰ] | ? | |
hot | e̞b | éβ | iβ | eve | epʰ | |
-b/o̞_ | β | β | bo [β] | b [pʰ] | bo [ø] | |
nose | bo̞b | boβ | buβ | boβo | bopʰ | bo |
-b/uɔ_ | β | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
echidna | suɔb | suɔβ | ||||
-b/_a | β | β | bo [β] | b [p pʰ] | bu bo [v b p] | |
head | mab | màβ | mɑβ | maβo | mapʰ | maue (?) |
bamboo torch | sab | sáβ | ||||
yam | kɛsab | kesɑβ | kesavo | |||
drum | kab | káβ | ||||
rain/snake | kab | kap | kavu | |||
bone | hab | háβ | hɑβ | havo | hap | hapu |
areca nut | wab | βàβ | wabu | |||
taboo | jab | jaβ |
Bilabial fricative /ɸ/ has only been found in one root where it is preceded by high back vowel /u/:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
-ɸ/u_ | ɸ | ɸu ɸo [f ø] | ||||
index finger | tuɸ | -tùɸ | tufu ≈ tufo ≈ -tu |
Fricative /s/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
-s/i_ | s | s | si | s | ? | |
meat/flesh | mis | mis | mis | misi | mis | |
-s/ɛ_ | s | s | se | si | se | |
woman | bɛs | bɛs | bes | bɛse | besi | bese |
hard | sɛs | sɛs | ||||
-s/ɔ_ | s | s | ? | ? | so | |
spittle/saliva | ɔs | ɔ̀s | ||||
netbag sp. | kawɔs | kaβɔs | kɑβos | kavoso | ||
-s/iɔ_ | s | s | sə su | s | su | |
sun | iɔs | iɔs | jos | josə ≈ josu | ijos | isu |
-s/a_ | s | s | sə | s | se | |
dog | kas | kās | kɑs | kasə | kas | kase |
sago hammer | was | βàs |
Apical non-stop /r/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
-r/i_ | r | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
now/today | iwir | iβir | ||||
-r/u_ | r | ? | ? | ru | ? | |
place/time | ur | ùr | oru- | |||
-r/əᵘ_ | r | r | ? | ? | ? | |
back | kəᵘr | kəur | kɑ'wur | |||
-r/e̞_ | r | r | ? | ? | ri | |
taro | ɸe̞r | ɸér | ɸiɾ | firi | ||
three | se̞r | sēr | siɾ | siri | ||
yesterday | he̞r | hēɾ | hiɾ | |||
-r/ɛ_ | r | r | rʌ | ? | ? | |
mouth | ko̞-mɛr | kò-mɛ́r | 'ku-mer | ko-mɛrʌ | ||
-r/ɔ_ | r | r | ro ra ru | ro ru | ro | |
wing | ɔr | ɔr | oɾ | |||
sky | nɔr | nɔ́r | noɾ | nora- | ||
hair/leaf/feather | bɔr | -bɔ̀r | -bor ≈ -bo:ɾo | -boru ≈ -boro | -poro ≈ -boro | -boro |
ring finger | bɔr | -bɔ̀r | boro | |||
bean | dukɔr | dukɔr | dukoɾ | |||
skin/bark | kɔr | kɔr | koɾ | kora ≈ koro | kʷaru ≈ koro | |
-r/a_ | r | r | ? | ? | r ri | |
branch/finger | mar | mar | mari | |||
kina shell sp. | kusi-mar | kusí-mar | ||||
snake | har | hār | hɑɾ | |||
goanna sp. | wasitar | βasitàr | ||||
anger | war | βar | war [rp] |
… vowels /i u e̞ o̞ ɛ ɔ a/ …
High front vowel /i/ is retained as such in all dialects:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
i | i | i | i | i | i | |
tree | i | ì: | i | ʔi | i | i |
enough | ti- | ti- | ||||
eye | si | sì | si | si | si | si |
flower | si | -sī | ||||
star | sĩ-kuin | sinkwin | sĩgwin | |||
house | min | mīn | min | mina [rp] | ||
meat/flesh | mis | mis | mis | misi | mis | |
lie down/sleep | bis- | bis- | bìs- | bis- | bis- | |
wasp | tin | tìn | ||||
body | din | dìn | -dini | |||
smoke | sin | -sín | ʃini | -si | ||
Terminalia sp. | iwi | iβì | ||||
now/today | iwir | iβir | ||||
dirt | kimi | kimì | ||||
sand | kiki | kiki | kiki | |||
wet | kimin | kimín | ki'min | |||
path | dikɛ | dikɛ́ | 'dike | dikɛ | dike; dikɛ [rp] | |
1 sg. | ina | inâ ≈ na | inɑ | ina | ina | inau; ina [rp] |
wind | iwa | iβà | 'iwɑ | uwa [sic] | ||
w. cockatoo | siwa | siβà | siba | |||
crocodile | sibira | sibirá | sivira | |||
cassowary | sikina | sikinà | sigi'nɑ | sigina | ||
father's sister | sikas[e̞] | sikasè | ||||
short | kuɸi | ku'ɸi | ||||
kina shell | kusi(-mar) | kusí(-mar) | ||||
view (n.) | sumin | sumín | ||||
fall | dɔɸi- | dɔɸi | ||||
ear | kɔwi | kɔβi | 'koβi | kovi | kupi | kovi |
coconut | basi | basi | bosi | |||
old (thing) | bari | bɑɾí | ||||
bad | ɸami | ɸəmí | ɸɑmí | |||
heavy | dawi | dɑβí | ||||
new | kasi | kɑ'sí | ||||
sit/stay | kari- | kəri | kɑ'ɾi- | kar-/kari- | ||
cook | hari- | həri | ||||
straight/correct | wati | βətí | ||||
goanna sp. | wasitar | βasitàr | ||||
moon | wasiwa | βasiβà | wɑsiβa | wasibia | wasiba | wasiwa |
rat/mouse | kaⁱɸari | kɑiɸa'ɾi | kaifari |
High back vowel /u/ is retained as such in all dialects:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
u | u | u | u | u | u | |
walk/go | u | u- | u- | u- | u- | |
liver | ub | ùβ | ||||
weep/cry | us- | us- | ||||
place/time | ur | ùr | oru- | |||
excrement | tu | tù | ||||
after/behind | du | dù | ||||
dry | ku | ku | ku | |||
point | ju | -ju | ||||
index finger | tuɸ | -tùɸ | tufu ≈ tufo ≈ -tu | |||
fireplace | dum | dúm | dumu | |||
cut up | kusu | kusu | ||||
short | kuɸi | ku'ɸi | ||||
kina shell | kusi(-mar) | kusí(-mar) | ||||
view (n.) | sumin | sumín | ||||
pitpit sp. | sumɛn | sumɛn | ||||
flying fox | kubɛⁱ | kubei | ||||
claw/nail | kujɔ̃ | kuiṍ | ||||
bean | dukɔr | dukɔr | dukoɾ | |||
louse | kurɔm | ku'ɾom | kuromə | kurom | kuromo | |
navel | tuma | tuma | ||||
middle finger | duwa | -duβá | -dua | |||
share | duwa | duβa | ||||
bandicoot | suma | sumá | ||||
knee | maku | mɑ'ku | maku | magu | maku | |
friend/relative | naɸu | nafu | ||||
bathe | taɸu | taɸu | ||||
elbow | taku | -tɑ'ku | ||||
father | tawu | taβu | tɑβu | |||
face/front (?) | karu | -kɑɾu | ||||
vine | jawu | iɑβu | ||||
spear | wasum | wɑsum | ||||
big | makəᵘwu | makauβu | mɑ'kuβu | makubʷ- | makʌbu | makuβu [rp] |
High mid front vowel /e̞/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
e̞ | e | e [i e] | e [e i ɛ] | e [e i ɛ] | e [e i] | |
hot | e̞b | éβ | iβ | eve | epʰ | |
hand/arm | se̞ | sè | si | sɛ- | se | si- ≈ se- |
say/do | ke̞- | ke- | ke- | -ke- | ke- [rp] | |
speech | me̞n | mèn | min | |||
come | be̞n- | ben- | bin- | |||
taro | ɸe̞r | ɸér | ɸiɾ | firi | ||
knife | ɸe̞r-baᵉ | ɸer-bàɛ | ɸiɾ-bɑi | |||
three | se̞r | sēr | siɾ | siri | ||
yesterday | he̞r | hēɾ | hiɾ | |||
extinguish | se̞re̞- | sere- | ||||
cold | ke̞we̞ | keβè | kiβi | kivi | ||
name | ne̞ne̞n | nenén | ninín | nɛnɛne | nanini | |
ant | ke̞ɸe̞n | keɸèn | ||||
mosquito | ke̞so̞n | kesón | kisunu | |||
thought | o̞we̞ | oβe | ||||
rain | ko̞re̞ | kore | kuɾí | kore | kuru | |
small | kɔse̞(-me̞) | kɔse(-me) | 'kos-mi | 'kuse | kose ≈ kɔsi-mɛ | |
knowledge | kane̞ | kane | kɑ'ni- | kani- | kane- | |
die | kase̞- | kas- | kɑsi- | kasi- | kasi- | |
man | wane̞ | βané | wo'ni- | wɔne ≈ wʌne | wane ≈ wani | wani |
High mid back vowel /o̞/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
o̞ | ||||||
cloud | mo̞ | -mō | -mo | mo ≈ -mu | ||
take | ɸo̞- | ɸo- | ɸu- | ɸo- [rp] | ||
see | to̞- | to- | tu- | to- | to- [rp] | |
breast/milk | sõ̞ | sȭ | su | sõ | sõ | su |
mouth | ko̞ | kò- | 'ku- | ko- | kʰo | ku- |
hear | ko̞- | ko- | ku- | ko- | -ko- | |
nose | bo̞b | boβ | buβ | boβo | bopʰ | bo |
garden | so̞n | son | ||||
bamboo | o̞ro̞ | oro | uro | |||
tobacco | so̞ko̞ | sokó | suku | suku | suku | |
corpse | ko̞wo̞ | koβo | ||||
thought | o̞we̞ | oβe | ||||
rain | ko̞re̞ | kore | kuɾí | kore | kuru | |
lung(s) | ko̞sɛ | 'kuse | ||||
tongue | ko̞mɛn | komɛ́n | ku'mén | kumɛn | kumen | komeni |
neck | bo̞kɔ | bokɔ̀ | bu'ko | bogʌhau | buko | |
mosquito | ke̞so̞n | kesón | kisunu | |||
night | kaɸo̞n | kaɸon ≈ kaɸún | kɑɸun | kʌɸoˑn(u) | kafun |
Low mid front vowel /ɛ/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
ɛ | ||||||
this/here | ɛn | ɛn | en | ɛn-aᵘ | eni | |
turn over | bɛ- | bɛ- | ||||
ergative | -nɛ | -nɛ | -ne | -nɛ [rp] | ||
woman | bɛs | bɛs | bes | bɛse | besi | bese |
hard | sɛs | sɛs | ||||
light (weight) | ɛɸɛ | ɛɸɛ́ | eɸe | |||
wallaby | tɛbɛrɛ | tɛ̀bɛrɛ | 'tebeɾe | teberi | ||
pinkie | kɛnɔ | -kɛnɔ́ | -keno | |||
turtle | kɛsɔ | kɛsɔ́ | ||||
side | kɛs[a] | kɛs(a) | kɛsa [rp] | |||
yam | kɛsab | kesɑβ | kesavo | |||
tusk | kɛsɛka | kisⁱ'kɑ [sic] | ||||
when? | bɛsanɛ | bɛsanɛ̂ | bi'sɑne | |||
path | dikɛ | dikɛ́ | 'dike | dikɛ | dike; dikɛ [rp] | |
pitpit sp. | sumɛn | sumɛn | ||||
lung(s) | ko̞sɛ | 'kuse | ||||
tongue | ko̞mɛn | komɛ́n | ku'mén | kumɛn | kumen | komeni |
mouth | ko̞-mɛr | kò-mɛ́r | 'ku-mer | ko-mɛrʌ | ||
person | k[ɔ/o̞]wɛ | kɔβɛ́ ≈ koβɛ | koβe ≈ kuβe | koβɛ [rp] | ||
dove | bɔrɛ | bɔ́rɛ̀ | ||||
again | mɔtɛ[ri] | mɔtɛrî | ||||
frog | sɔwɛ | sɔβɛ́ | soβe | |||
on/at | manɛ | manɛ | ||||
egg | tamɛ | tamɛ̀ | tɑme | tʌmɛ |
Low mid back vowel /ɔ/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
ɔ | ||||||
spittle/saliva | ɔs | ɔ̀s | ||||
wing | ɔr | ɔr | oɾ | |||
yes | mɔ | mɔ́ | mo | |||
but | -mɔ | -mɔ | ||||
lime | dɔ | do | ||||
pandanus sp. | sɔ | sɔ̄ | ||||
long | sɔ | sɔ̀ | so | so | ||
hair/leaf/feather | bɔr | -bɔ̀r | -bor ≈ -bo:ɾo | -boru ≈ -boro | -poro ≈ -boro | -boro |
ring finger | bɔr | -bɔ̀r | boro | |||
thing | kɔn | kɔ̄n | ||||
sky | nɔr | nɔ́r | noɾ | nora- | ||
pig | kɔn | kɔ̀n | kon | kono | ||
skin/bark | kɔr | kɔr | koɾ | kora ≈ koro | kʷaru ≈ koro | |
people | wɔm | βɔ́m | wom- | |||
finish | ɸɔrɔ- | ɸɔrɔ́- | ||||
make | dɔ-dɔ | dɔdɔ̀ | ||||
fall | dɔɸi- | dɔɸi | ||||
ear | kɔwi | kɔβi | 'koβi | kovi | kupi | kovi |
small | kɔse̞(-me̞) | kɔse(-me) | 'kos-mi | 'kuse | kose ≈ kɔsi-mɛ | |
dove | bɔrɛ | bɔ́rɛ̀ | ||||
frog | sɔwɛ | sɔβɛ́ | soβe | |||
again | mɔtɛ[ri] | mɔtɛrî | ||||
claw/nail | kujɔ̃ | kuiṍ | ||||
bean | dukɔr | dukɔr | dukoɾ | |||
louse | kurɔm | ku'ɾom | kuromə | kurom | kuromo | |
neck | bo̞kɔ | bokɔ̀ | bu'ko | bogʌhau | buko | |
pinkie | kɛnɔ | -kɛnɔ́ | -keno | |||
turtle | kɛsɔ | kɛsɔ́ | ||||
tooth | kəⁱjɔ̃ | kəiɔ̃̄ | kɑiõ | kãĩjɔ̃ | kãĩjo | keo |
egret | saw[aᵉ][i]ɔ | saβaɛiɔ̀≈saβaio | ||||
good | darɔ | darɔ̀ | 'dɑɾo | daro | raro | |
earth/ground | sawɔ | saβɔ́ | sɑ'βo | sabo | savo | |
netbag sp. | kawɔs | kaβɔs | kɑβos | kavoso |
Low central vowel /a/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
a | ||||||
who? | ma | mā | mɑ́ | ma-iɛ | ma-e | |
thumb | ma | -mà | -mɑ | |||
bow | ma | mà | ma | |||
take | ɸa- | ɸa- | ɸa- | |||
stand | ha- | ha- | hɑ- | ha- | ha- | ha- [rp] |
head | mab | màβ | mɑβ | maβo | mapʰ | maue |
branch/finger | mar | mar | mari | |||
kina shell sp. | kusi-mar | kusí-mar | ||||
theft | tan | tan | ||||
sago | dam | dám | damu | |||
go up | dab- | daβ ≈ daβɔ | ||||
sago hammer | was | βàs | ||||
fat/grease | sam | sɑm | samm̥ | sam | ||
bamboo torch | sab | sáβ | ||||
stone/rock | kam | kām | kɑm | kamə | kam | kamu |
drum | kab | káβ | ||||
rain/snake | kab | kap | kavu | |||
belly | kan | kàn | 'kɑmbɑɾu | kamburu | kan | kambubu |
dog | kas | kās | kɑs | kasə | kas | kase |
bone | hab | háβ | hɑβ | havo | hap | hapu |
snake | har | hār | hɑɾ | |||
areca nut | wab | βàβ | wabu | |||
anger | war | βar | war [rp] | |||
taboo | jab | jaβ | ||||
grass | asan | asàn | ||||
chest | ɸaka | ɸakà | ||||
afternoon | sama | samá | sɑmɑ | |||
one | sakan | sakán | sɑ'kɑn | sʌkanɛ | sʌkanɛ | saka |
soft | tarama | taramà | ||||
coconut | basi | basi | bosi | |||
old (thing) | bari | bɑɾí | ||||
bad | ɸami | ɸəmí | ɸɑmí | |||
heavy | dawi | dɑβí | ||||
new | kasi | kɑ'sí | ||||
sit/stay | kari- | kəri | kɑ'ɾi- | kar-/kari- | ||
cook | hari- | həri | ||||
straight/correct | wati | βətí | ||||
goanna sp. | wasitar | βasitàr | ||||
moon | wasiwa | βasiβà | wɑsiβa | wasibia | wasiba | wasiwa |
kite sp. | wariɛ | βáríɛ̀ | ||||
black | kasiɔ | kɑ'su ≈ kɑ'sio | kʌsio | kasio | ||
white | sawia | saβia | sɑβiɑ́ | saβia | sabiai | |
ashes | kawia | kɑβiɑ́ | kabia | |||
knee | maku | mɑ'ku | maku | magu | maku | |
friend/relative | naɸu | nafu | ||||
bathe | taɸu | taɸu | ||||
elbow | taku | -tɑ'ku | ||||
father | tawu | taβu | tɑβu | |||
heart | kam[u] | kamù | 'kɑmu | kʌmuu | kamu | |
face/front (?) | karu | -kɑɾu | ||||
vine | jawu | iɑβu | ||||
spear | wasum | wɑsum | ||||
goura pigeon | mabuɔ | mabuɔ̂ | ||||
knowledge | kane̞ | kane | kɑ'ni- | kani- | kane- | |
die | kase̞- | kas- | kɑsi- | kasi- | kasi- | |
man | wane̞ | βané | wo'ni- | wɔne ≈ wʌne | wane ≈ wani | wani |
night | kaɸo̞n | kaɸon ≈ kaɸún | kɑɸun | kʌɸoˑn(u) | kafun | |
old man | makəⁱ | makə̀i | mɑ'kəi | |||
big | makəᵘwu | makauβu | mɑ'kuβu | makubʷ- | makʌbu | makuβu [rp] |
older sibling | at[ɛ] | atè | ɑte | ate | ||
on/at | manɛ | manɛ | ||||
egg | tamɛ | tamɛ̀ | tɑme | tʌmɛ | ||
good | darɔ | darɔ̀ | 'dɑɾo | daro | raro | |
earth/ground | sawɔ | saβɔ́ | sɑ'βo | sabo | savo | |
netbag sp. | kawɔs | kaβɔs | kɑβos | kavoso | ||
egret | saw[aᵉ][i]ɔ | saβaɛiɔ̀≈saβaio | ||||
1 sg. | ina | inâ ≈ na | inɑ | ina | ina | inau; ina [rp] |
wind | iwa | iβà | 'iwɑ | uwa | ||
w. cockatoo | siwa | siβà | siba | |||
father's sister | sikas[e̞] | sikasè | ||||
crocodile | sibira | sibirá | sivira | |||
cassowary | sikina | sikinà | sigi'nɑ | sigina | ||
navel | tuma | tuma | ||||
middle finger | duwa | -duβá | -dua | |||
share | duwa | duβa | ||||
bandicoot | suma | sumá | ||||
yam | kɛsab | kesɑβ | kesavo | |||
when? | bɛsanɛ | bɛsanɛ̂ | bi'sɑne | |||
tusk | kɛsɛka | kisⁱ'kɑ [sic] | ||||
another | aⁱna | aina | aina [rp] | |||
rat/mouse | kaⁱɸari | kɑiɸa'ɾi | kaifari |
… diphthongs … (Petterson 2011: 18-19.)
… /əⁱ/ …
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
əⁱ | ||||||
not/nothing | məⁱ | mai ≈ mə̄i | məi- | |||
fish | məⁱ | mə̀i | mɨ̃i | mãĩ | mai | moi |
sap | bəⁱ | bəi | ||||
blood | kəⁱ | kə́i | kəi | kai | kai | |
tooth | kəⁱjɔ̃ | kəiɔ̃̄ | kɑiõ | kãĩjɔ̃ | kãĩjo | keo |
old man | makəⁱ | makə̀i | mɑ'kəi |
… /əᵘ/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
əᵘ | əu [əu au] | əu [əu ɑu o u] | əu [ɔu u] | əu [ao ʌo ʌ o] | əu [au o u] | |
pandanus sp. | dəᵘ | də́u | ||||
tail | kəᵘ | kə̀u | kəu | ku | kao | |
canoe | həᵘ | həu | ||||
child | bəᵘm | baum ≈ bə́um | bɑun- ≈ -bom | bomu | ||
egg | təᵘm | -tə́um | -tɔumu | tʌom ≈ -tom | ||
back | kəᵘr | kəur | kɑ'wur | |||
paddle | həᵘria | həuriá | sauria | |||
big | makəᵘwu | makauβu | mɑ'kuβu | makubʷ- | makʌbu | makuβu [rp] |
… /ɛⁱ/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
ɛⁱ | ||||||
path | tɛⁱ | rei | ||||
base/root | hɛⁱ | hɛ́i ≈ həi | -heí | -he | -hai | |
flying fox | kubɛⁱ | kubei |
… /ɔᵘ/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
ɔᵘ | ||||||
sugarcane | jɔᵘ | jou | io |
… /aⁱ/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
aⁱ | ai | ai [ɑi əi] | ai | |||
another | aⁱna | aina | aina [rp] | |||
old | kaⁱ | kai | kɑi | |||
rat/mouse | kaⁱɸari | kɑiɸa'ɾi | kaifari |
… /aᵉ/ has been found only root-finally:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
aᵉ | aɛ əɛ | ɑi ɑe | aiɛ ai | ae ai | ai aɛ | |
3 sg. | aᵉ | aɛ | ɑi-ɑ | aɛ [rp] | ||
palm/sole | -baᵉ | -bàɛ | -bai | |||
club | baᵉ | bàɛ | -bɑi | |||
break | baᵉ- | bəɛ | ||||
day | ɸaᵉ | ɸàɛ | ||||
bird | kaᵉ | káɛ | kɑe | kaiɛ ≈ kai | kae ≈ kai | ka |
netbag sp. | kaᵉ | kāɛ | kɑe | |||
fruit/seed | hãᵉ | haɛ ≈ hã́ɛ | haiɛ | |||
leg | hãᵉ | hâɛ | hɑ̃i | hãi | hae | hai |
two | hãᵉ | hã̄ɛ ≈ haɛ | hɑ̃ẽ | hãiɛ | hae | hai |
… /aᵒ/ has been found only root-finally:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
aᵒ | ao | |||||
clothing | taᵒ | táo | ||||
aᵒ | aɔ | |||||
fly (v.) | baᵒ- | baɔ- ≈ bəo- | bou- | bo- | ||
ginger | hãᵒ | háɔ̃ ≈ hãõ |
… vowel sequences …
… /iɛ/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
iɛ | iɛ | |||||
kite sp. | wariɛ | βáríɛ̀ |
… /iɔ/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
iɔ | iɔ | |||||
sun | iɔs | iɔs | jos | josə ≈ josu | ijos | isu |
morning | kiɔm | kiɔ̀m | kjom | |||
black | kasiɔ | kɑ'su ≈ kɑ'sio | kʌsio | kasio |
… /ia/ :
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
ia | ||||||
white | sawia | saβia | sɑβiɑ́ | saβia | sabiai | |
ashes | kawia | kɑβiɑ́ | kabia | |||
paddle | həᵘria | həuriá | sauria [sic] |
…:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders |
The sequence /ui/ has only been found following intiial /k/:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
ui | ui [wi] | ui [ui wi] | ui [wi] | |||
top | kui | kui | ||||
song/dance | kuin | kuīn | kuin- | |||
star | sĩ-kuin | sinkwin | sĩgwin |
… /uɔ/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
uɔ | ||||||
echidna | suɔb | suɔβ | ||||
goura pigeon | mabuɔ | mabuɔ̂ |
… /o̞a/ …:
Kaser | Kaser | Kaser | Mena | Ikobi-Kairi | Dugeme | |
phonemic | Petterson | Carr | Franklin | Franklin | Saunders | |
o̞a | oa | oa [oɑ uɑ] | ||||
laugh | ko̞a | koa- | koɑ- ≈ kwɑ- |
[under construction]
Kaser pronouns … with attestations drawn from Carr (2006) and Petterson (2011 ibid.):
nominative | nominative | possessive | possessed | ||
Petterson | Carr | Petterson | Petterson | ||
1 sg. | ina | inâ ≈ na | inɑ | na-n; na-me-n | na-mín |
2 sg. | i | i | i-ɑ | ||
3 sg. | aᵋ | aɛ | ɑi-ɑ | ||
1 pl. | na-ne | nɑ-nⁱ | na-ne-n | na-ním | |
2 pl. | 'jɑ-nɑ | ||||
3 pl. | ɑ'me-nɑ | ||||
1 dl. | nə-rí | nɑ-'ɾi | |||
2 dl. | jɑ-ɾi | ||||
3 dl. | ɑ'me-nɑ-ɾi |
In addition to these, a third person singular ergative form [ai-ne] may be seen in several of Carr's example sentences.
[under construction]
…
[under construction]
…