Timothy Usher, Santa Fe Institute
[under construction]
The West Awyu family is comprised of two or three closely related languages spoken along and around the Wildeman and Asue Rivers and their tributaries …
The internal classification of West Awyu is as follows:
West Awyu
Wildeman River Awyu
Asue River Awyu
Miaro River Awyu
Kewet River Awyu
Kriens, Lebold and Menanti (2011: 28-29) provide lexical similarity figures between six West Awyu villages as follows:
| Wildeman | Miaro | Miaro | Kewet | Kewet | Kewet | ||
| Busiri | Khanami | Keru | Juvo B. | Juvo K. | Amagatsu | ||
| Wildeman | Busiri | — | 67 | 65 | 58 | 55 | 54 |
| Miaro | Khanami | 67 | — | 94 | 73 | 72 | 70 |
| Miaro | Keru | 65 | 94 | — | 75 | 76 | 71 |
| Kewet | Juvo B. | 58 | 73 | 75 | — | 82 | 71 |
| Kewet | Juvo K. | 55 | 72 | 76 | 82 | — | 70 |
| Kewet | Amagatsu | 54 | 70 | 71 | 71 | 70 | — |
Drabbe (1947) grammar of Pisà
Boelaars (1950: 68-76) English language recension of Drabbe's Pisà grammar
Drabbe (1950) grammar notes and (pp. 131-142) 435 comparative terms for Pisà
Drabbe (1959: 162-181) 430 comparative terms for Pisà
Kriens and Lebold (2010: 40-53) 239 comparative terms for Awyu (Wildeman River) of Busiri
Lebold, Kriens, de Vries and Rumaropen (2010: 54-66) 240 comparative terms for Asue Awyu of Juvo Besar/Kabu, Juvo Kecil, Keru and Khanami villages, 62 comparative terms for Asaren, Isage, Aboge, Kopi, Kiki, Eci, Homang, Amenda, Omuro, Khaibu and Kasima villages
Kriens, Lebold and Menanti (2011: 44-51) 239 comparative terms for Asue Awyu of Amagatsu village, 50 comparative terms for Sogope, Katage and Yagatsu villlages
Wester (2014) Awyu-Dumut comparative morphology including (pp. 195-210) 430 comparative terms for Pisa after Drabbe (1959: 162-181)
[under construction]
Proto West Awyu had 14 to 18 consonants and 7 vowels as follows:
| *m | *n | |||
| *p | *t | *k | ||
| *b | *d | *g | ||
| [*mb] | [*nd] | [*ŋg] | ||
| *ɸ | *s | *x | [*xʷ] | |
| *ɾ | *j | *w |
| *i | *ʉ | *u |
| *ɛ | *ɜ | *ɔ |
| *a |
Rounded velar /*xʷ/ 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.) These loans are also found in other Awyu subfamilies and may or may not have been established by the time of proto-West Awyu.
Nasals /*m *n/ collapse root-finally into an archiphoneme [*N] which is in isolation expressed as nasalization of the otherwise final vowel. In compounds, this induces the prenasalization of following voiced stops /*b *d *g/ to [*mb *nd *ŋg].
…
Consonants correspond as follows:
| W. Awyu | Wildeman | Miaro | Kewet |
| *m | m | m | m |
| *n | n | n | n |
| *p | p | p | p |
| *t | t | t | t |
| *t/_i ʉ u | s | s | tʃ |
| *k | k | k | k |
| *b | b | b | b |
| *d | d | d | d |
| *d/_i ʉ | d | d dʒ | dʒ |
| *g | g | g | g |
| *ɸ | ɸ | ɸ | ɸ |
| *s | s | s | s |
| *x | x | x | x [h ʔ] |
| [*xʷ] | ɸ x | w | x w |
| *mb | mb | mb | mb |
| *nd | nd | nd | nd |
| *nd/_i ʉ | nd | nd ndʒ | ndʒ |
| *ŋg | ŋg | ŋg | ŋg |
| *ɾ | ɾ | ɾ | ɾ |
| *j | j | j | j |
| *w | w | w | w |
| *-VN | Ṽ | Ṽ | Ṽ |
Vowels and diphthongs correspond as follows:
| W. Awyu | Wildeman | Miaro | Kewet |
| *i | i | i | i |
| *ʉ | ʉ | ʉ | ʉ |
| *u | u | u | u |
| *ɛ | e | e | e |
| *ɜ | e | a | a |
| *ɔ | o | o | o |
| *a | a | a | a |
| *ɛⁱ | i | eⁱ i | eⁱ |
| *ɔⁱ | oⁱ | o u | oⁱ |
| *aⁱ | aⁱ | eⁱ | aⁱ |
| *aᵉ | aᵉ | e | aⁱ e |
These correspondences are exemplified as follows, with all Pisà attestations drawn from Drabbe (1950: 131-142, ibid., 1959: 162-181,) Busiri from Kriens and Lebold (2010: 40-53,) Miaro River of Keru and Khanami and Kewet River of Juvo Besar and Juvo Kecil from Lebold, Kriens, de Vries and Rumaropen (2010: 44-53) and Kewet River of Amagatsu from Kriens, Lebold and Menanti (2011: 44-51.)
Bilabial nasal /*m/ is preserved as such in all descendants:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *m | m | m | m | m | m | |
| drink (realis) | *mi | mi- | ||||
| star/firefly | *miN | mĩ | miŋ | mi | mi | miʔ |
| morning | *mimiN | mimĩ | ||||
| thigh | *midiN | midĩ | ||||
| in front | *migi | 'miɣi | 'migi ≈ mi'gi | migi | ||
| louse | *mɛɾu | 'mɛɾu | meɾu | meru | ||
| neck/throat | *mʉ(-tɔ) | mu(-'to) | ||||
| son | *m[ʉ/u] | mu | ||||
| cooked | *ma- | ma- | ||||
| beard | *mati | masi-rõ | ||||
| stand | *mati-ɛ | mase- | mɑ'si- | 'masi- ≈ ma'si- | matʃi- | matʃe- |
| stomach | *madʉ | madzu [dial.] | madzu [dial.] | |||
| tooth | *maga | ma'ga | 'mɑgɑ | ma'ga | ma'ga | maga |
| knee/elbow | *maɾ[ɔ/u] | ma'ɾu | ma'ɾu | ma'ɾu | ma'ɾo | |
| behind | *mɔ | mo | mo | mo | ||
| mother's bro. | *mɔN | mõ | ||||
| afraid | *mɔki | 'moki | mo'ki- | moki- | moki- | |
| earth | *mɔkaN | mokã | ||||
| small | *m[ɔ]nɔxɔ | 'monoɣo | mono'ɣo | mo'nɔɣɔ | monɔ ≈ məno | meʔno |
| cheek | *mɔxɔN | moɣõ | ||||
| blunt/dull | *mutu | mutʃu | ||||
| swallow | *m[u]kuN | mukũ- | ||||
| egg | *mugɔ | mu'go | mugɔʔ | mu'go | mu'go | muŋgo |
| do/make | *ɛmɔ | emo- | ||||
| gall/bile | *[ɛ]timuN | isimũ | ||||
| drink (irrealis) | *ami | ɑmi | ami | ami | ||
| young woman | *am[i]gi | am'gi | ||||
| hide | *atuɾumɔ- | asurumo- | ||||
| smell | *ɸ[i]mi | fimi- | ||||
| think | *ɸimɔ | fimo- | ||||
| stink | *ɸɔxɔmɔ | foɣomo- | ||||
| old (things) | *timi | 'simi | si'mi | tʃimi | tʃɪ'mɪ | |
| in front | *samaN | samam | ||||
| slow | *sukum[a]N | 'sukumã | ||||
| two | *kɔɾumaN | kurumã | koru'mɑʔ | ku'ɾuma | ku'ɾuma | kʰɔrman |
| lime | *xami | ami | ||||
| widow | *xam[ɜ] | ɣa'mɛ | ||||
| far | *xamaN | ɣamã | xɑ̃mɑ̃ŋ | 'xama | amaʔ | a'ma |
| be in pain | *xaɾimɔ | ɣarimo- | ||||
| friend | *xɔmu | 'homu | ɔ:mu [dial.] | |||
| yawn | *xuɸamɔ | ɣufamo- | ||||
| bandicoot | *j[a]mi | 'jemi ≈ 'jɛmi | 'jami | jemiʔ ≈ jamiʔ | ||
| thorn | *jamɔxɔN | 'jamoɣõ | jɑməɣõŋ | jamɔ'kɔŋ | jɛmɔʔɔ ≈ jimɔ̃: | ⁿji:moʔo |
| lie(s) | *jaxam[a] | 'jaɣama | ||||
| ripe/yellow | *waxamaN | 'waɣamã | wa'ɣama | wama | waʔ'ma | |
| break/crush (tr.) | *waxaɾ[a]-mɔ- | waɣaramo- | ||||
| inside | *wɔmu | 'womu | 'womu | 'womu | womu | gʷo'mu |
Apical nasal /*n/ is preserved as such in all descendants:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *n | n | n | n | n | n | |
| mother | *ni | ni | 'wɑni | 'wani | ('wa)ni | keni |
| 1 sg. poss. | *na- | na | nɑ- | na- | na- | na- |
| eat (imperative) | *na | na | ||||
| wake (tr.) | *naɸiN | nɑɸi- | naɸi(ŋ)- | |||
| knowledge | *naɸaN | nafã | nɑ'ɸɑŋ | na'ɸaŋ | na'ɸaŋ | naxaŋ |
| good | *n[a]ni | 'nani | nenɪ | |||
| crocodile | *nagaɾu | naga'ɾuʔ | naga'ɾuʔ | nagru | ||
| go (imperative) | *nɔxɔⁱ | noɣoj | no'ɣi | 'noɣu ≈ 'noɣʉ | noʔi | noɪ |
| 1 sg. | *nu | nu | nũ | nũ | nũ | nu |
| 1 pl. | *nugu | nugu | 'nugu | 'nugu | 'nugu | nuŋgu |
| 3 sg. poss. | *ɛna- | ena- | ɛn(a)- | ɛn(a)- | ɛn(a)- | ɛn(a)- |
| leaf | *ana | ɑnɑ | ||||
| small | *m[ɔ]nɔxɔ | 'monoɣo | mono'ɣo | mo'nɔɣɔ | monɔ ≈ məno | meʔno |
| shin | *biniɾɔ | bini'ro | ||||
| go out (of fire) | *bʉni | bu'ni- | ||||
| soul | *b[a]na | bana | ||||
| mucus | *siniɸɔ | sini'fo | ||||
| tear(s) | *kin-(ɜjɜ) | kin-'ɛ | ||||
| near | *kinaxaN | kinaɣã | kinɑ'ɣɑ̃ŋ | 'kina | 'kina | 'kiraŋ |
| sleep (n.) | *kunuN | kunũ | 'kunu | kunu- | kunu- | ku'nu- |
| break/snap | *gɛni | geni- | ||||
| be enough | *xaɾini | ɣarini- | ||||
| scab | *j[a]miN | jamĩ | ||||
| roof | *wɛnikɔ | we'niko | we'niko | we'niŋko |
Bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ is preserved in all descendants:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *p | p | p | p | p | p | |
| leg | *piti | 'bisi [sic] | pi'si | pi'si ≈ pitʃi [dial.] | ||
| long | *piɾi | pi'ɾi | 'piɾi | 'piɾi | pirɪ | |
| wound | *pɛsɔ | 'pɛso | ||||
| coconut | *pɜjɔ | pe'jo | 'pejo | 'pajo | 'pajo | pajo |
| blind/deaf | *pɜjɔ | pɛ'jo | 'pɛjo | pa'jo | pa'jo | pajo: |
| old (people) | *patʉ | patʃu: | ||||
| bad smell | *paxa ɸʉ[N] | 'paɣa fu | patʃu: | |||
| lake | *pɔxuwɔ | poɣuwɔ | pou'wo | |||
| butterfly | *apɜɾɔ | 'apɛro | ||||
| hot | *apa | 'apa | 'ɑpɑ | a'pasi | apa(si) | a'pa |
| older brother | *kapu | ka'pu | kɑ'pu | 'kapu | 'kapu ≈ a-'kabu | a-kabu |
Apical voiceless stop /*t/ when followed by non-high vowels /*ɛ *ɜ *ɔ *a/ is preserved as such in all descendants:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *t | t | t | t | t | t | |
| one | *tɛ-isijɜ | tisije | te'sia | tɛsia | teisʲa | |
| goanna | *tɛⁱja | 'teija | 'teia | teije | ||
| root | *tatɛ | ta'tɛ | tɑ'tɛ | ta'tɛ | ||
| ashes | *taki | 'taki | tɑ'ki | 'taki | 'taki | ta'kʰɪ |
| tired | *taxaN | taɣã | ||||
| cold | *taɾu | 'taru | 'tɑru | 'taɾu | 'taɾu | ta'ru |
| mud | *tawɛ | 'tawe | tawɛ | tawe | ||
| hole | *tɔ | to | tɔ | |||
| new | *tɔgɔ | 'togɔ | togo | |||
| armpit | 'toɣõ | |||||
| finger/toe | *tɔɾɔN | torõ | 'toɾoŋ | 'toɾoŋ ≈ to'ɾɔŋ | to'ɾɔŋ | toraŋ |
| afterbirth | *t[ɔ]gɔɾɔ | 'togoro | ||||
| outside/below | *butaxa | 'butaɣa | 'butɑɣɑ | buta'ɣa | ||
| see/find | *ɸit[a/ɔ] | feto- | ɸi'tɑ | 'ɸita ≈ ɸi'to | 'ɸita ≈ ɸitɔ | he'to: |
| get up/stand up | *dɔtɔ | doto- | do'to- | do'to- | doto- | do'to: ≈ doto- |
| foot/leg | *kitɔ | kito | 'kito | ki'to | ||
| new | *kɔtɔxɔ | kotɔɣɔ | ko'toɣoʔ | |||
| goura pigeon | *kutɛ | ku'tɛ | ||||
| mouth | *xatɜ | ɣa'tɛ | xɑ'tɛ | 'hata | 'hat:a | ata |
When followed by high vowels /*i *ʉ *u/, /*t/ is palatalized and affricated to [tʃ] in Kewet River and merged with /s/ in Wildeman River and Miaro River:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *t/_i | s | s | s | tʃ | tʃ | |
| father's father | *ti | si | si | si | tʃi | tʃi |
| plait | *ti | si- | ||||
| old (things) | *timi | 'simi | si'mi | tʃimi | tʃɪ'mɪ | |
| ant | *titaxa | 'sitʰɑ(ɣa) | sita'ɣa | tʃitʰaʔa | tʃetʃa:a | |
| penis | *tigi | si'gi | ||||
| leech | *tiɾiN | tʃiɾiŋ | tʃɪriŋ | |||
| gall/bile | *[ɛ]timuN | isimũ | ||||
| tail of bird | *ɔti-ɾɔN | 'osirõ | ||||
| beard | *mati | masi-rõ | ||||
| stand | *mati-ɛ | mase- | mɑ'si- | 'masi- ≈ ma'si- | matʃi- | matʃe- |
| leg | *piti | 'bisi | pi'si | pi'si ≈ pitʃi [dial.] | ||
| male | *b[a]tiN | bisĩ | b'siŋ | |||
| arrow | *dɛb[ɛ]ti | dibi'si | dɛ'bɛsi | debitʃi | eptʃi | |
| sharp | *kɛtiN | 'kisĩ | 'kisiŋ | 'kesiŋ | kɪtʃiŋ ≈ kitʃiŋ | kitʃiŋ |
| fence | *xaⁱti | ɣaⁱ'si | ||||
| sweat | *k[a]tiN | kasĩ | ||||
| spear | *xati | ɣa'si | ||||
| snake | *wati | wasi | 'wɑsi | wa'si | watʃi ≈ wa'si | wa'dʒi [sic.] |
| *t/_ʉ | s | s | s | tʃ | tʃ | |
| banana | *tʉ | su | sɯ | sʉ | tʃɯ | tʃu: |
| urinate | *tʉ | su- | ||||
| old (people) | *patʉ | patʃu: | ||||
| village | *butʉ | 'busɯ | bu'sʉ ≈ bʉ'sʉ | butʃɯ | butʃu | |
| *t/_u | s | s | s | tʃ | tʃ | |
| go down | *tu | su- | ||||
| daughter | *tub-ɾaN | subrã | ||||
| nipple | *tubu | subu | ||||
| ear | *tuɾuN | 'surũ | 'suruŋ | su'ɾuŋ | tʃuɾuŋ | tʃu'ruŋ |
| hide | *atuɾumɔ- | asurumo- | ||||
| blunt/dull | *mutu | mutʃu |
Velar voiceless stop /*k/ is preserved in all descendants:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *k | k | k | k | k | k [k kʰ] | |
| theft | *ki | ki | ||||
| flower | *ki | ki | ||||
| ankle | *kiN | kĩ | ||||
| bathe/swim | *kiN | kĩ | kĩŋ- | ki: ≈ ki(ŋ)- | kiŋ- ≈ kim- | kʰin- ≈ kɪm- |
| tear(s) | *kin-(ɜjɜ) | kin-'ɛ | ||||
| near | *kinaxaN | kinaɣã | kinɑ'ɣɑ̃ŋ | 'kina | 'kina | 'kiraŋ |
| foot/leg | *kitɔ | kito | 'kito | ki'to | ||
| marsupial | *kisɔ | ki'so | ki'soɑ | 'kiso | keso | |
| rope | *kikiN | kikĩ | ||||
| side | *kikiN | kikĩ | ||||
| eye | *kiɾɔ | kiro | ki'ɾo | 'kiɾo | 'kiɾo | ke:ro |
| nail | *k[i/ɛ]ja | ki'a | ki'jɑ | ki'ja | ki'ja | ke'a |
| wind | *kɛɸi | ki'fi | 'kiɸi | 'kɛɸi | 'kɛɸi | keɸi |
| sharp | *kɛtiN | 'kisĩ | 'kisiŋ | 'kesiŋ | kɪtʃiŋ ≈ kitʃiŋ | kitʃiŋ |
| carry | *kɛkuN | kɛkũ- | ||||
| bad | *kɛjɔN | 'kijoŋ | 'kejoŋ | 'kejoŋ | keijoŋ | |
| older brother | *kapu | ka'pu | kɑ'pu | 'kapu | 'kapu ≈ a-'kabu | a-kabu |
| branch | *kabiN | kabĩ | ||||
| sweat | *k[a]tiN | kasĩ | ||||
| flesh | *kad[ʉ] | ka'du | 'kɑdu | 'kadzu ≈ ka'du | kadʒu ≈ ka'du | kadʒu |
| vomit | *k[a]ndi | kandi | ||||
| tree | *kasVɾɔ | 'kasɛro | kɑso'ro | kasiɾo ≈ kasoɾo | kasiɾo ≈ kasoɾo | |
| wet | *kakɛ | kake | 'kɑkɛ | 'kakɛ | 'kakɛ | |
| belly | *kaku | 'kaku | 'kɑku | ka'ku | ka'ku | ka'ku |
| red | *kaŋgɔN | 'kaŋgo | 'kɑŋgo | kaŋgɔ ≈ 'kaŋgo | kaŋgoŋ | kɐ̃ŋgõŋ |
| leech | *kaɾijaN | karia | 'karijɑŋ | kaɾijaŋ | ||
| ripe/dry (?) | *kaɾʉ | 'kɑru | 'kaɾʉ | 'kaɾʉ | kʰaru | |
| cassowary | *kaɾʉwɛ | 'karuwɛ | 'kɑruwɛ | kaɾʉ'we | kaɾʉ'we | karuɛ |
| not/no | *kaɾɜ | ka'rɛ | 'kɑrɛ | ka'ɾa | kaɾa | kʰa'ra ≈ kara |
| paddle | *kaxʷi | 'kafi | kɑfi ≈ kɑɸi | 'kawi | 'kawi | kawɪ |
| new | *kɔtɔxɔ | kotɔɣɔ | ko'toɣoʔ | |||
| two | *kɔɾumaN | kurumã | koru'mɑʔ | ku'ɾuma | ku'ɾuma | kʰɔrman |
| die (sg.) | *kuN | kũ- | kuŋ- | kuŋ- | kuŋ- | kuŋ- |
| wash | *kuN | kũ | ku(ŋ)- | ku(ŋ)- | ku(ŋ)- | ku(ŋ)- |
| goura pigeon | *kutɛ | ku'tɛ | ||||
| gather | *gigi[jɔ] kuN | gigio kũ- | ||||
| sleep (n.) | *kunuN | kunũ | 'kunu | kunu- | kunu- | ku'nu- |
| younger sibling | *kudɜ | ku'dɛ | kudɛ | 'kuda | 'kuda | |
| dig | *kuw[ɔ] | ko- | ku | ku | ku | ku |
| 3 sg. | *ɛki | eki | i'ki | 'ɛki | 'ɛki | e'ke |
| smoke | *aku | a'ku | 'ɑku | aku | aku | a'kʰu |
| afraid | *mɔki | 'moki | mo'ki- | moki- | moki- | |
| earth | *mɔkaN | mokã | ||||
| swallow | *m[u]kuN | mukũ- | ||||
| elbow/knee | *bɔkiN | bokĩ | ||||
| ant | *titaxa | 'sitʰɑ(ɣa) | sita'ɣa | tʃitʰaʔa | tʃetʃa:a | |
| ashes | *taki | 'taki | tɑ'ki | 'taki | 'taki | ta'kʰɪ |
| slow | *sukum[a]N | 'sukumã | ||||
| roof | *wɛnikɔ | we'niko | we'niko | we'niŋko | ||
| bamboo knife | *waki | wa'ki | 'wɑki | wa'ki | waki |
Bilabial voiced stop /*b/ is preserved in all descendants:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *b | b | b | b | b | b | |
| chest | *biN | bĩ | ||||
| shin | *biniɾɔ | bini'ro | ||||
| moon | *bidiN | bidĩ | bɪ'diŋ | 'bidʒiŋ | 'bidʒiŋ | bidʒiŋ |
| hand/arm | *bidɜ | bi'dɛ | 'bidɛ | bi'da | bi'da | bi'da |
| male | *b[a]tiN | bisĩ | b'siŋ | |||
| go out (of fire) | *bʉni | bu'ni- | ||||
| sit/stay | *ba | ba- | bɑ- | ba- | ba- | |
| soul | *b[a]na | bana | ||||
| bone | *bagi | bagi | 'bɑgi | 'bagi ≈ ba'gi | ba'gi | bagɪ |
| short/blunt | *bagɔ | ba'go | 'bɑɣo | 'bogo | 'bogo | bogo |
| wing | *baɾ[ɔ/u] | baɾu: [dial.] | baɾɔ | |||
| father | *bɔ | bo | bo | bo | bo | |
| shiver | *bɔbiN | bobĩ- | ||||
| elbow/knee | *bɔkiN | bokĩ | ||||
| elbow/knee | *buN | bũ | buŋ | buŋ [dial.] | buŋ | |
| outside/below | *butaxa | 'butaɣa | 'butɑɣɑ | buta'ɣa | ||
| village | *butʉ | 'busɯ | bu'sʉ ≈ bʉ'sʉ | butʃɯ | butʃu | |
| fly (v.) | *buɾuN | burũ- | 'buruŋ- | buɾuŋ- | buɾuŋ- | buruŋ- |
| goanna. | *ɛbi | ɛbi [dial.] | 'ɛbi | |||
| laughter | *ab[ɛN] | ab gi- | ɑb-giŋ | aba-'gi– | ab(i)-gi- | ap-gi- |
| close eyes | *abʉN | abu- | ||||
| daughter | *tub-ɾaN | subrã | ||||
| nipple | *tubu | subu | ||||
| arrow | *dɛb[ɛ]ti | dibi'si | dɛ'bɛsi | debitʃi | eptʃi | |
| island | *d[ʉ]bi | du'bi | ||||
| heart | *dʉb[u]ɾɔ | 'duburo | 'dʒubuɾɔ | 'dʒubuɾɔ | ||
| young man | *sʉbaN | 'subã | ||||
| branch | *kabiN | kabĩ | ||||
| nape | *gubiN | gubĩ | ||||
| head | *xaⁱbaN | ɣajbã | 'xɑibɑŋ | he'baŋ ≈ hi'baŋ | habaŋ ≈ ʔa'baŋ | aibaŋ |
| friend | *xabiN | abiŋ [dial.] | ha:bim | |||
| stone axe | *xabu | ɣa'bu | 'habu | ʔabu | a'bu: | |
| tail | *wɔbʉ | wo'bu | 'wobu | 'wobʉ | 'wobʉ | 'wobu |
| testicle | *wɔb[ʉ]-ɾɔ | 'wobu-ro |
Apical voiced stop /*d/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *d | d | d | d | d | d | |
| older sister | *dɛ | dɛ | nɑ'tɛ | 'wadɛ | na'dɛ | nade |
| not | *dɛ | dɛ | ||||
| arrow | *dɛb[ɛ]ti | dibi'si | dɛ'bɛsi | debitʃi | eptʃi [sic] | |
| come | *dɜ | dɛ- | dɛ | da | da | da: |
| hear | *da | da- | dɑ- | da | da- | da- |
| burn (intr.) | *dɔ | do- | 'do- | 'do- | do- | |
| get up/stand up | *dɔtɔ | doto- | do'to- | do'to- | doto- | do'to: ≈ doto- |
| sago | *du | du | du | du | du | duʔ |
| roof | *dugi | 'duɣi | 'dʒugi (?) | |||
| give | *ɛdV | edo- | ||||
| body | *adʉ | adu | ||||
| tie | *adV | ada- | ɑde- | ada | -da- | ado |
| hand/arm | *bidɜ | bi'dɛ | 'bidɛ | bi'da | bi'da | bi'da |
| younger sibling | *kudɜ | ku'dɛ | kudɛ | 'kuda | 'kuda | |
| raw/young | *[k/x]adaxaⁱ | 'kadaɣaⁱ | 'xɑdɑɣɑi | kada'ɣei | adaɣai ≈ adaɣi | adʰaʔɪ |
| thumb/big toe | *wadɔ | wa'do | wa'do |
When followed by high front and central vowels /*i *ʉ/, /*d/ is palatalized and affricated to [dʒ] in Kewet River … :
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *d/_i | d | d | d dʒ | dʒ | dʒ | |
| sweet potato | *ɛdiN | 'idiŋ | 'ɛdiŋ | edʒiŋ | edʒiŋ | |
| body | *adʉ | adu | ||||
| thigh | *midiN | midĩ | ||||
| moon | *bidiN | bidĩ | bɪ'diŋ | 'bidʒiŋ | 'bidʒiŋ | bidʒiŋ |
| path | *jɛdi | jɛdi | jɛ'di | jɛdʒi | jedʒi | |
| *d/_ʉ | d | d | d dʒ | dʒ | dʒ | |
| cook/burn | *dʉ | du- | du- | dʒʉ | dʒu | dʒu |
| bow | *dʉN | dũ | dũŋ | ⁿdu | dʒũŋ | dʒʊn |
| island | *d[ʉ]bi | du'bi | ||||
| heart | *dʉb[u]ɾɔ | 'duburo | 'dʒubuɾɔ | 'dʒubuɾɔ | ||
| stomach | *madʉ | madzu [dial.] | madzu [dial.] | |||
| flesh | *kad[ʉ] | ka'du | 'kɑdu | 'kadzu ≈ ka'du | kadʒu ≈ ka'du | kadʒu |
One apparent exception is considered to represent /*wadɛⁱ/ rather than /*wadi/ by outcomparison to Kombai /wondeⁱ/ (q.v. Voorhoeve 2000 : 378):
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *d/_ɛⁱ | d | d | d | d | d | |
| river | *wadɛⁱ | wa'di | 'wɑdi | 'wadi | 'wadi | wa'dɪ |
Another remains unexplained:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *d/_Vⁱ (?) | d | d | d | d | d | |
| salt | *d[Vⁱ]sɛ | di'se | di'se | di'se |
Velar voiced stop /*g/ is preserved in all descendants. Medially, it is sometimes realized as [ɣ] in Wildeman River, merging with the reflex of /*x/ (below):
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *g | g [g ɣ] | g [g ɣ] | g | g | g | |
| scratch | *gi- | gi- | -ɣi | -gi | -gi | -gɪ |
| gather | *gigi[jɔ] kuN | gigio kũ- | ||||
| sand | *giɾiN | girĩ | 'giriŋ | gi'ɾiŋ | gi'ɾiŋ | giriŋ |
| garden | *gijɔN | giõ | ɣijoŋ | |||
| break/snap | *gɛni | geni- | ||||
| brain | *g[ʉ]N | gũ | ||||
| navel | *g[ʉ]N | gũ | ||||
| 2 sg. poss. | *ga- | ga- | ||||
| blood | *gɔN | go | goŋ | gɔŋ | gɔŋ | goŋ |
| 2 pl. | *g[ɔ]g[ʉ] | gugu | gu'gu | 'gɔgʉ ≈ 'gogu | 'gɔgʉ ≈ 'gogu | gugu |
| 2 sg. | *gu | gu | gu | gu | ||
| nape | *gubiN | gubĩ | ||||
| young woman | *am[i]gi | am'gi | ||||
| seek/search | *agu | agu- | ɑgu- | agu | ago- | agʰu- |
| in front | *migi | 'miɣi | 'migi ≈ mi'gi | migi | ||
| tooth | *maga | ma'ga | 'mɑgɑ | ma'ga | ma'ga | maga |
| egg | *mugɔ | mu'go | mugɔʔ | mu'go | mu'go | muŋgo |
| bone | *bagi | bagi | 'bɑgi | 'bagi ≈ ba'gi | ba'gi | bagɪ |
| short/blunt | *bagɔ | ba'go | 'bɑɣo | 'bogo | 'bogo | bogo |
| tongue | *ɸagɛ | fa'gɛ | ɸɑ'gɛ | 'ɸagɛ | 'ɸagɛ ≈ hage | ha'ge |
| crocodile | *nagaɾu | naga'ɾuʔ | naga'ɾuʔ | nagru | ||
| 1 pl. | *nugu | nugu | 'nugu | 'nugu | 'nugu | nuŋgu |
| penis | *tigi | si'gi | ||||
| new | *tɔgɔ | 'togɔ | togo | |||
| armpit | *tɔgɔN | 'toɣõ (?) | ||||
| afterbirth | *t[ɔ]gɔɾɔ | 'togoro | ||||
| roof | *dugi | 'duɣi | 'dʒugi |
Prenasalized stops /*mb *nd *ŋg/ occur only medially, where they are retained in all descendants. When /*nd/ is followed by high vowel /*i/, it is palatalized in Kewet River as is /*d/ (above):
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *mb | mb | mb | mb | mb | mb | |
| crocodile | *xajambu | 'ɣaⁱjambu | xɑ'jɑmbu | |||
| *nd/_i | nd d | ndʒ | ndʒ | |||
| eat (future) | *a[n]di | adi- | andʒi | andʒ- | ||
| vomit | *k[a]ndi | kandi | ||||
| *ŋg | ŋg | ŋg | ŋg | ŋg | ŋg | |
| dog | *aŋgi | aŋ'gi | 'ɑŋgi | 'aŋgi | 'aŋgi | aŋgi |
| louse | *aŋgu | 'aŋgu | 'ɑŋgu | aŋ'gu | aŋ'gu | |
| red | *kaŋgɔN | 'kaŋgo | 'kɑŋgo | kaŋgɔ ≈ 'kaŋgo | kaŋgoŋ | kɐ̃ŋgõŋ |
| die (pl.) | *xɔs[a]ŋgi | ɣosaŋgi- | ||||
| flying fox | *xɔŋgi | ɣoŋ'gi |
Bilabial fricative /*ɸ/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *ɸ | ɸ <f> | ɸ [ɸ f ʍ] | ɸ [ɸ f] | ɸ [ɸ h] | ɸ [ɸ h x] | |
| name | *ɸi | fi | ɸi | ɸi ≈ fi | ɸi | ɸi: |
| smell | *ɸ[i]mi | fimi- | ||||
| think | *ɸimɔ | fimo- | ||||
| grandchild | *ɸiɾɔN | ɸi'ɾɔŋ | ɸi'ɾɔŋ | |||
| bamboo | *ɸijɔ | fi'o | ʍi'joʔ | 'ɸijo | 'ɸijo | fɪo: |
| see/find | *ɸit[a/ɔ] | feto- | ɸi'tɑ | 'ɸita ≈ ɸi'to | 'ɸita ≈ ɸitɔ | he'to: |
| breath | *ɸiɾɔ | fero- | ||||
| not | *ɸa | fa | ||||
| tongue | *ɸagɛ | fa'gɛ | ɸɑ'gɛ | 'ɸagɛ | 'ɸagɛ ≈ hage | ha'ge |
| stink | *ɸɔxɔmɔ | foɣomo- | ||||
| bad smell | *paxa ɸʉ[N] | 'paɣa fu | patʃu: | |||
| weeping/crying | *iɸɛ | i'fɛ | i'fɛ | i'fɛ | ɛɸɛ | eɸia |
| break/split (tr.) | *axaɸʉN | aɣafũ- | ||||
| child | *ɔɸɔ | 'ofo | 'oɸo | 'oɸo | oho | |
| wake (tr.) | *naɸiN | nɑɸi- | naɸi(ŋ)- | |||
| knowledge | *naɸaN | nafã | nɑ'ɸɑŋ | na'ɸaŋ | na'ɸaŋ | naxaŋ |
| mucus | *siniɸɔ | sini'fo | ||||
| wind | *kɛɸi | ki'fi | 'kiɸi | 'kɛɸi | 'kɛɸi | keɸi |
| play | *xaɸɛ | ɣa'fɛ | ||||
| yawn | *xuɸamɔ | ɣufamo- |
Fricative /*s/ is retained as such in all descendants:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *s | s | s | s | s | s | |
| spine | *si | si | ||||
| nose | *siN(-tɔ) | sin-'to | 'sin-tɔ | si: | ||
| mucus | *siniɸɔ | sini'fo | ||||
| high/above | *siɾi | si'ri | si'ɾi | 'siɾi ≈ si'ɾi | 'siɾi ≈ si'ɾi | siri ≈ sirɪ |
| black | *siɾi | si'ri | 'siɾi | si'ɾi | si'ɾi | si'rɪ |
| kunai grass | *sisɔ | sɛ'so | siso | 'siso | 'siso | suso |
| widower | *sɛN | 'sɛŋ-go | ||||
| young man | *sʉbaN | 'subã | ||||
| mud | *sʉɾu | 'sɯru | ||||
| dry | *sɜ | sɛ | sɛ | sa-ka'ɾa | sa-kᵊɾa | sa: ≈ sa-kra) |
| in front | *samaN | samam | ||||
| sun/day | *sawɜ | sa'wɛ | 'sɑwɛ | 'sawa | 'sawa | |
| earth/ground | *sɔxɔ | so'ɣo | so'xo | 'soxo ≈ sɔxɔ | 'soɣo ≈ soxo | soʔo |
| nose | *susuN | 'susuŋ | 'susuŋ | susuŋ | ||
| slow | *sukum[a]N | 'sukumã | ||||
| cough (n.) | *[i/ɛ]s[a/ɔ] | ɛ'so | ɛ'so | 'iso | 'iso ≈ ɛsa | ɪsʲa |
| mosquito | *ɛⁱsɜ | ise | 'isɛ | i'sa ≈ ɛⁱsɛ [dial.] | i'sa ≈ isɛ | eisʲa |
| sneeze (n.) | *asiN | asĩ | ||||
| thin | *as[ɛ][x][ɛ] | 'aseɣe | ||||
| night | *asʉ | a'su | 'ɑsɯ | 'asʉ | 'asʉ | a'su |
| bite | *asu | asu- | ɑsʊ- | asu | ||
| wound | *pɛsɔ | 'pɛso | ||||
| one | *tɛ-isijɜ | tisije | te'sia | tɛsia | teisʲa | |
| salt | *disɛ | di'se | di'se | di'se | ||
| marsupial | *k[i/ɛ]sɔ | ki'so | ki'soɑ | 'kiso | keso | |
| tree | *kasVrɔ | 'kasɛro | kɑso'ro | kasiɾo ≈ kasoɾo | kasiɾo ≈ kasoɾo | |
| die (pl.) | *xɔs[a]ŋgi | ɣosaŋgi- |
Velar fricative /*x/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *x- | x [ɣ] | x | x [h x] | x [h ʔ ø] | x [h ø] | |
| skin/bark | *xa | ɣa | xɑ | ha ≈ xa | ʔa: ≈ ha | a: |
| give birth | *xaⁱ | ɣaⁱ- | ||||
| house | *xaⁱN | ɣãⁱ | xɑ̃ĩŋ | -ɣiŋ | ʔaĩ: | haʔə |
| head | *xaⁱbaN | ɣajbã | 'xɑibɑŋ | he'baŋ ≈ hi'baŋ | habaŋ ≈ ʔa'baŋ | aibaŋ |
| bandicoot | *xaⁱjɔ | 'ɣajo | hɛijo | haijo(ʔ) | ||
| lime | *xami | ami | ||||
| widow | *xam[ɜ] | ɣa'mɛ | ||||
| far | *xamaN | ɣamã | xɑ̃mɑ̃ŋ | 'xama | amaʔ | a'ma |
| friend | *xabiN | abiŋ [dial.] | ha:bim | |||
| stone axe | *xabu | ɣa'bu | 'habu | ʔabu | a'bu: | |
| play | *xaɸɛ | ɣa'fɛ | ||||
| spear | *xati | ɣa'si | ||||
| mouth | *xatɜ | ɣa'tɛ | xɑ'tɛ | 'hata | 'hat:a | ata |
| fence/wall | *xaɾi | 'xɑɾi | 'haɾi | ʔa:ɾi | ha'rɪ | |
| be in pain | *xaɾimɔ | ɣarimo- | ||||
| be enough | *xaɾini | ɣarini- | ||||
| white | *xaja | 'ɣaja | 'xɑjɑ | ha'ja | ha'ja | |
| crocodile | *xajambu | 'ɣaⁱjambu | xɑ'jɑmbu | |||
| man | *xɔ | ɣo | xo | ɸ(u)- | ɔ- ≈ o- | ho:- ≈ o- |
| walk/go | *xɔ | ɣo- | ||||
| friend | *xɔmu | 'homu | ɔ:mu [dial.] | |||
| die (pl.) | *xɔs[a]ŋgi | ɣosaŋgi- | ||||
| flying fox | *xɔŋgi | ɣoŋ'gi | ||||
| ghost | *xɔxɔⁱ | ɣo'ɣoⁱ | 'hoɣo ≈ 'hoɣu | ɸɔɣɔⁱ | ||
| cloud/sky | *xɔwʉ | ɣoᵘ | xu ≈ xo | hoʉ ≈ hu | hoʉ ≈ hu ≈ ʔoᵘ | ou: |
| milk | *xu[N] | ɣu | ||||
| yawn | *xuɸamɔ | ɣufamo- | ||||
| *-x- | x [ɣ] | x [ɣ x g] | x [ɣ ʔ ø] | x [ʔ ø] | ||
| husband | *-xu | -ɣu | -gu | -ɣu | -ᵘ | -u: ≈ -uʔ |
| thin | *as[ɛ][x][ɛ] | 'aseɣe | ||||
| fish | *axaᵉ | a'ɣaᵉ | ɑ'ɣe | ʔa'ɣe | ʔaj | ae: |
| break/split (tr.) | *axaɸʉN | aɣafũ- | ||||
| cheek | *mɔxɔN | moɣõ | ||||
| bad smell | *paxa ɸʉ[N] | 'paɣa fu | patʃu: | |||
| lake | *pɔxuwɔ | poɣuwɔ | pou'wo | |||
| outside/below | *butaxa | 'butaɣa | 'butɑɣɑ | buta'ɣa | ||
| stink | *ɸɔxɔmɔ | foɣomo- | ||||
| go (imperative) | *nɔxɔⁱ | noɣoj | no'ɣi | 'noɣu ≈ 'noɣʉ | noʔi | noɪ |
| ant | *titaxa | 'sitʰɑ(ɣa) | sita'ɣa | tʃitʰaʔa | tʃetʃa:a | |
| tired | *taxaN | taɣã | ||||
| earth/ground | *sɔxɔ | so'ɣo | so'xo | 'soxo ≈ sɔxɔ | 'soɣo ≈ soxo | soʔo |
| near | *kinaxaN | kinaɣã | kinɑ'ɣɑ̃ŋ | 'kina | 'kina | 'kiraŋ |
| raw/young | *[k/x]adaxaⁱ | 'kadaɣaⁱ | 'xɑdɑɣɑi | kada'ɣei | adaɣai ≈ adaɣi | adʰaʔɪ |
| new | *kɔtɔxɔ | kotɔɣɔ | ko'toɣoʔ | |||
| person | *[ɾ/j]ɔxu | 'juɣu | 'jogoŋ | 'ju'ɣu | ɾɔu | roʔu |
| thorn | *jamɔxɔN | 'jamoɣõ | jɑməɣõŋ | jamɔ'kɔŋ | jɛmɔʔɔ ≈ jimɔ̃: | ⁿji:moʔo |
| bark | *jaxaN | 'jaɣaŋ | 'jaɣaŋ ≈ ja:ŋ | ɲʲaʔa | ||
| lie(s) | *jaxam[a] | 'jaɣama | ||||
| 3 pl. | *jɔxɔ | joɣo | jo'ɣʉ ≈ jo'ɣo | jo'ɣʉ ≈ jo'ɣo | jo:o | |
| rattan/rope | *jɔxu | 'joɣomo | joɣomo | 'juɣumo ≈ joɣo- | jɔɣu | joɣu |
| ripe/yellow | *waxamaN | 'waɣamã | wa'ɣama | wama | waʔ'ma | |
| break/crush (tr.) | *waxaɾ[a]-mɔ- | waɣaramo- | ||||
| green/blue | *wɔxu | 'woɣo | 'wuɣu | 'wuɣu ≈ wɔᵘ | woɣu |
Apical non-stop /*ɾ/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *ɾ | ɾ <r> | ɾ <r> | ɾ | ɾ | ɾ <r> | |
| call/sing | *ɾi | ri- | ||||
| lie down | *ɾi | ri- | ɾi | ɾi | ri | |
| rib(s) | *ɾiN | rim-bigi | ||||
| twist rope | *ɾiN | rĩ- | ||||
| go down | *ɾʉ- | ru- | ||||
| chop down | *ɾʉ- | ru- | ||||
| thunder | *ɾʉ- | ru- | ||||
| scar | *ɾʉ[N] | ru | ||||
| boil (n.) | *ɾʉN | rũ | ||||
| take/hold | *ɾa | ra- | ɾa- | ɾa- | ||
| woman/wife | *ɾaN | rã | rɑŋ | ɾaŋ | ɾaŋ | raŋ |
| fruit/seed | *ɾɔ | ro | ro | 'ro | ɾo | |
| say/speak | *ɾɔ | ro- | ro | ɾɔ | ro | |
| hair/leaf/feather | *ɾɔN | rõ | roŋ | ɾɔŋ ≈ ɾõŋ | ɾɔŋ | roŋ |
| weep/cry | *ɾɔN | roŋ- | ||||
| voice/speech | *ɾu | ru | ru | ɾu | ɾu | ru(:) |
| rainbow | *iɾiN | irĩ | ||||
| earthquake | *iɾiɾi | iri'ri | ||||
| stone | *ɛⁱɾɔ | i'ro | i'ro | 'eiɾo ≈ 'iɾɔ | 'eiɾo | ɛⁱro |
| butterfly | *apɜɾɔ | 'apɛro | ||||
| hide | *atuɾumɔ- | asurumo- | ||||
| louse | *mɛɾu | 'mɛɾu | meɾu | meru | ||
| knee/elbow | *maɾ[ɔ/u] | ma'ɾu | ma'ɾu | ma'ɾu | ma'ɾo | |
| long | *piɾi | pi'ɾi | 'piɾi | 'piɾi | pirɪ | |
| fly (v.) | *buɾuN | burũ- | 'buruŋ- | buɾuŋ- | buɾuŋ- | buruŋ- |
| grandchild | *ɸiɾɔN | ɸi'ɾɔŋ | ɸi'ɾɔŋ | |||
| breath | *ɸiɾɔ | fero- | ||||
| crocodile | *nagaru | naga'ɾuʔ | naga'ɾuʔ | nagru | ||
| leech | *tiɾiN | tʃiɾiŋ | tʃɪriŋ | |||
| cold | *taɾu | 'taru | 'tɑru | 'taɾu | 'taɾu | ta'ru |
| afterbirth | *t[ɔ]gɔɾɔ | 'togoro | ||||
| finger/toe | *tɔɾɔN | torõ | 'toɾoŋ | 'toɾoŋ ≈ to'ɾɔŋ | to'ɾɔŋ | toraŋ |
| ear | *tuɾuN | 'surũ | 'suruŋ | su'ɾuŋ | tʃuɾuŋ | tʃu'ruŋ |
| heart | *dʉb[u]ɾɔ | 'duburo | 'dʒubuɾɔ | 'dʒubuɾɔ | ||
| high/above | *siɾi | si'ri | si'ɾi | 'siɾi ≈ si'ɾi | 'siɾi ≈ si'ɾi | siri ≈ sirɪ |
| black | *siɾi | si'ri | 'siɾi | si'ɾi | si'ɾi | si'rɪ |
| mud | *sʉɾu | 'sɯru | ||||
| eye | *kiɾɔ | kiro | ki'ɾo | 'kiɾo | 'kiɾo | ke:ro |
| tree | *kasVrɔ | 'kasɛro | kɑso'ro | kasiɾo ≈ kasoɾo | kasiɾo ≈ kasoɾo | |
| leech | *kaɾijaN | karia | 'karijɑŋ | kaɾijaŋ | ||
| ripe/dry (?) | *kaɾʉ | 'kɑru | 'kaɾʉ | 'kaɾʉ | kʰaru | |
| cassowary | *kaɾʉwɛ | 'karuwɛ | 'kɑruwɛ | kaɾʉ'we | kaɾʉ'we | karuɛ |
| not/no | *kaɾɜ | ka'rɛ | 'kɑrɛ | ka'ɾa | kaɾa | kʰa'ra ≈ kara |
| two | *kɔɾumaN | kurumã | koru'mɑʔ | ku'ɾuma | ku'ɾuma | kʰɔrman |
| sand | *giɾiN | girĩ | 'giriŋ | gi'ɾiŋ | gi'ɾiŋ | giriŋ |
| fence/wall | *xaɾi | 'xɑɾi | 'haɾi | ʔa:ɾi | ha'rɪ | |
| be in pain | *xaɾimɔ | ɣarimo- | ||||
| be enough | *xaɾini | ɣarini- | ||||
| worm | *wɛɾʉ | 'weru | 'weɾʉ | 'weɾʉ | eu'ru | |
| break/crush (tr.) | *waxaɾ[a]-mɔ- | waɣaramo- |
At least two comparisons show an irregular alternation between [ɾ] and [j]:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *[ɾ/j] | j | j | ɾ | ɾ | ɾ | |
| breadfruit | *[ɾ/j]awɔ | ja'wo | 'jɑwo | 'ɾawo | ɾawo | ra'wo |
| *[ɾ/j] | j | j | j | ɾ | ɾ | |
| person | *[ɾ/j]ɔxu | 'juɣu | 'jogoŋ | 'ju'ɣu | ɾɔu | roʔu |
…
Palatal glide /*j/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *j | j | j | j | j | j | |
| bird | *ji | ji | ɪ: | ʝi | ʝi | i: |
| fire | *ji(n) | jĩ | dziŋ | ʝi ≈ 'ʝin- | ʝi ≈ 'ʝin- | ji: ≈ n- |
| fruit/seed | *jindV-ɾɔ | jindɛ-ro | jindɔ-'ro | jindʒə-ɾo | ||
| path | *jɛdi | jɛdi | jɛ'di | jɛdʒi | jedʒi | |
| hunger/thirst | *jɜ | jɛ | ||||
| love | *jɜ | jɛ | ||||
| bandicoot | *j[a]mi | 'jemi ≈ 'jɛmi | 'jami | jemiʔ ≈ jamiʔ | ||
| scab | *j[a]miN | jamĩ | ||||
| thorn | *jamɔxɔN | 'jamoɣõ | jɑməɣõŋ | jamɔ'kɔŋ | jɛmɔʔɔ ≈ jimɔ̃: | ⁿji:moʔo |
| bark | *jaxaN | 'jaɣaŋ | 'jaɣaŋ ≈ ja:ŋ | ɲʲaʔa | ||
| lie(s) | *jaxam[a] | 'jaɣama | ||||
| canoe | *jaxʷʉN | jɛfũ | jɑ'xuŋ | ja'vʉŋ | ja'vʉŋ | jaɣʊŋ |
| copulate | *jɔN | jõ- | ||||
| 3 pl. | *jɔxɔ | joɣo | jo'ɣʉ ≈ jo'ɣo | jo'ɣʉ ≈ jo'ɣo | jo:o | |
| rattan/rope | *jɔxu | 'joɣomo | joɣomo | 'juɣumo ≈ joɣo- | jɔɣu | joɣu |
| water | *ɜjɜ | ɛ | 'ɛ | 'aja | 'aja | aija |
| coconut | *pɜjɔ | pe'jo | 'pejo | 'pajo | 'pajo | pajo |
| blind/deaf | *pɜjɔ | pɛ'jo | 'pɛjo | pa'jo | pa'jo | pajo: |
| bamboo | *ɸijɔ | fi'o | ʍi'joʔ | 'ɸijo | 'ɸijo | fɪo: |
| one | *tɛ-isijɜ | tisije | te'sia | tɛsia | teisʲa | |
| goanna | *tɛⁱja | 'teija | 'teia | teije | ||
| nail | *k[i/ɛ]ja | ki'a | ki'jɑ | ki'ja | ki'ja | ke'a |
| bad | *kɛjɔN | 'kijoŋ | 'kejoŋ | 'kejoŋ | keijoŋ | |
| leech | *kaɾijaN | karia | 'karijɑŋ | kaɾijaŋ | ||
| garden | *gijɔN | giõ | ɣijoŋ | |||
| bandicoot | *xaⁱjɔ | 'ɣajo | hɛijo | haijo(ʔ) | ||
| white | *xaja | 'ɣaja | 'xɑjɑ | ha'ja | ha'ja | |
| crocodile | *xajambu | 'ɣaⁱjambu | xɑ'jɑmbu |
Glide /*w/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *w | w [w u] | w [w u] | w [w u] | w [w u] | w [w u] | |
| mother's mother | *wi | wi | wi | wi | wi | wi |
| roof | *wɛnikɔ | we'niko | we'niko | we'niŋko | ||
| worm | *wɛɾʉ | 'weru | 'weɾʉ | 'weɾʉ | eu'ru | |
| kill | *wʉ | wu- | -u- | -ʉ- | ||
| left | *wɜ | we | wa | wɛma | wa | |
| 3 sg. poss. | *wa- | ewa- | wɑ- | wa- | wa- | |
| snake | *wati | wasi | 'wɑsi | wa'si | watʃi ≈ wa'si | wa'dʒi |
| river | *wadɛⁱ | wa'di | 'wɑdi | 'wadi | 'wadi | wa'dɪ |
| thumb/big toe | *wadɔ | wa'do | wa'do | |||
| bamboo knife | *waki | wa'ki | 'wɑki | wa'ki | waki | |
| break/crush (tr.) | *waxaɾ[a]-mɔ- | waɣaramo- | ||||
| inside | *wɔmu | 'womu | 'womu | 'womu | womu | gʷo'mu |
| tail | *wɔbʉ | wo'bu | 'wobu | 'wobʉ | 'wobʉ | 'wobu |
| testicle | *wɔb[ʉ]-ɾɔ | 'wobu-ro | ||||
| liver | *wɔwuN | wũ | wõŋ | wõŋ ≈wuŋ [dial.] | woŋ | wouŋ |
| green/blue | *wɔxu | 'woɣo | 'wuɣu | 'wuɣu ≈ wɔᵘ | woɣu | |
| 3 sg. poss. | *ɛwa- | ewa- | ||||
| right (side) | *ɔwu | 'ou | ou | uma | oᵘʔ | |
| pig | *uwɛⁱ | u'i | wi | wei | wei | weɪ |
| lake | *pɔxuwɔ | poɣuwɔ | pou'wo | |||
| mud | *tawɛ | 'tawe | tawɛ | tawe | ||
| sun/day | *sawɜ | sa'wɛ | 'sɑwɛ | 'sawa | 'sawa | |
| cassowary | *kaɾʉwɛ | 'karuwɛ | 'kɑruwɛ | kaɾʉ'we | kaɾʉ'we | karuɛ |
| cloud/sky | *xɔwʉ | ɣoᵘ | xu ≈ xo | hoʉ ≈ hu | hoʉ ≈ hu ≈ ʔoᵘ | ou: |
| breadfruit | *[ɾ/j]awɔ | ja'wo | 'jɑwo | 'ɾawo | ɾawo | ra'wo |
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 [xʷ] in the western dialects of Marind (q.v. Drabbe 1955: 148-151):
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *xʷ | ɸ <f> | ɸ [ɸ f] | w | w | w | |
| paddle | *kaxʷi | 'kafi | kɑfi ≈ kɑɸi | 'kawi | 'kawi | kawɪ |
| *xʷ | ɸ <f> | x | w [v] | w [v] | x [ɣ] | |
| canoe | *jaxʷʉN | jɛfũ | jɑ'xuŋ | ja'vʉŋ | ja'vʉŋ | jaɣʊŋ |
High front vowel /*i/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *i | i | i [i ɪ] | i | i | i [i ɪ] | |
| weeping/crying | *iɸɛ | i'fɛ | i'fɛ | i'fɛ | ɛɸɛ | eɸia |
| rainbow | *iɾiN | irĩ | ||||
| earthquake | *iɾiɾi | iri'ri | ||||
| goanna. | *ɛbi | ɛbi [dial.] | 'ɛbi | |||
| gall/bile | *[ɛ]timuN | isimũ | ||||
| sweet potato | *ɛdiN | 'idiŋ | 'ɛdiŋ | edʒiŋ | edʒiŋ | |
| 3 sg. | *ɛki | eki | i'ki | 'ɛki | 'ɛki | e'ke |
| drink (irrealis) | *ami | ɑmi | ami | ami | ||
| young woman | *am[i]gi | am'gi | ||||
| eat (future) | *a[n]di | adi- | andʒi | andʒ- | ||
| sneeze (n.) | *asiN | asĩ | ||||
| dog | *aŋgi | aŋ'gi | 'ɑŋgi | 'aŋgi | 'aŋgi | aŋgi |
| tail of bird | *ɔti-ɾɔN | 'osirõ | ||||
| taro | *ʉwi | wi | wi | ʉi | ʉi | wɜ |
| drink (realis) | *mi | mi- | ||||
| star/firefly | *miN | mĩ | miŋ | mi | mi | miʔ |
| morning | *mimiN | mimĩ | ||||
| thigh | *midiN | midĩ | ||||
| in front | *migi | 'miɣi | 'migi ≈ mi'gi | migi | ||
| beard | *mati | masi-rõ | ||||
| afraid | *mɔki | 'moki | mo'ki- | moki- | moki- | |
| leg | *piti | 'bisi | pi'si | pi'si | ||
| long | *piɾi | pi'ɾi | 'piɾi | 'piɾi | pirɪ | |
| chest | *biN | bĩ | ||||
| shin | *biniɾɔ | bini'ro | ||||
| moon | *bidiN | bidĩ | bɪ'diŋ | 'bidʒiŋ | 'bidʒiŋ | bidʒiŋ |
| hand/arm | *bidɜ | bi'dɛ | 'bidɛ | bi'da | bi'da | bi'da |
| go out (of fire) | *bʉni | bu'ni- | ||||
| male | *b[a]tiN | bisĩ | b'siŋ | |||
| bone | *bagi | bagi | 'bɑgi | 'bagi ≈ ba'gi | ba'gi | bagɪ |
| shiver | *bɔbiN | bobĩ- | ||||
| elbow/knee | *bɔkiN | bokĩ | ||||
| name | *ɸi | fi | ɸi | ɸi ≈ fi | ɸi | ɸi: |
| smell | *ɸ[i]mi | fimi- | ||||
| think | *ɸimɔ | fimo- | ||||
| grandchild | *ɸiɾɔN | ɸi'ɾɔŋ | ɸi'ɾɔŋ | |||
| bamboo | *ɸijɔ | fi'o | ʍi'joʔ | 'ɸijo | 'ɸijo | fɪo: |
| mother | *ni | ni | 'wɑni | 'wani | ('wa)ni | keni |
| wake (tr.) | *naɸiN | nɑɸi- | naɸi(ŋ)- | |||
| good | *n[a]ni | 'nani | nenɪ | |||
| father's father | *ti | si | si | si | tʃi | tʃi |
| plait | *ti | si- | ||||
| old (things) | *timi | 'simi | si'mi | tʃimi | tʃɪ'mɪ | |
| ant | *titaxa | 'sitʰɑ(ɣa) | sita'ɣa | tʃitʰaʔa | tʃetʃa:a | |
| penis | *tigi | si'gi | ||||
| leech | *tiɾiN | tʃiɾiŋ | tʃɪriŋ | |||
| one | *tɛ-isijɜ | tisije | te'sia | tɛsia | teisʲa | |
| ashes | *taki | 'taki | tɑ'ki | 'taki | 'taki | ta'kʰɪ |
| salt | *disɛ | di'se | di'se | di'se | ||
| arrow | *dɛb[ɛ]ti | dibi'si | dɛ'bɛsi | debitʃi | eptʃi | |
| island | *dʉbi | du'bi | ||||
| roof | *dugi | 'duɣi | 'dʒugi | |||
| spine | *si | si | ||||
| nose | *siN(-tɔ) | sin-'to | 'sin-tɔ | si: | ||
| mucus | *siniɸɔ | sini'fo | ||||
| high/above | *siɾi | si'ri | si'ɾi | 'siɾi ≈ si'ɾi | 'siɾi ≈ si'ɾi | siri ≈ sirɪ |
| black | *siɾi | si'ri | 'siɾi | si'ɾi | si'ɾi | si'rɪ |
| theft | *ki | ki | ||||
| flower | *ki | ki | ||||
| ankle | *kiN | kĩ | ||||
| bathe/swim | *kiN | kĩ | kĩŋ- | ki: ≈ ki(ŋ)- | kiŋ- ≈ kim- | kʰin- ≈ kɪm- |
| tear(s) | *kin-(ɜjɜ) | kin-'ɛ | ||||
| near | *kinaxaN | kinaɣã | kinɑ'ɣɑ̃ŋ | 'kina | 'kina | 'kiraŋ |
| foot/leg | *kitɔ | kito | 'kito | ki'to | ||
| rope | *kikiN | kikĩ | ||||
| side | *kikiN | kikĩ | ||||
| wind | *kɛɸi | ki'fi | 'kiɸi | 'kɛɸi | 'kɛɸi | keɸi |
| sharp | *kɛtiN | 'kisĩ | 'kisiŋ | 'kesiŋ | kɪtʃiŋ ≈ kitʃiŋ | kitʃiŋ |
| branch | *kabiN | kabĩ | ||||
| sweat | *k[a]tiN | kasĩ | ||||
| vomit | *k[a]ndi | kandi | ||||
| leech | *kaɾijaN | karia | 'karijɑŋ | kaɾijaŋ | ||
| paddle | *kaxʷi | 'kafi | kɑfi ≈ kɑɸi | 'kawi | 'kawi | kawɪ |
| scratch | *gi- | gi- | -ɣi | -gi | -gi | -gɪ |
| gather | *gigi[jɔ] kuN | gigio kũ- | ||||
| sand | *giɾiN | girĩ | 'giriŋ | gi'ɾiŋ | gi'ɾiŋ | giriŋ |
| garden | *gijɔN | giõ | ɣijoŋ | |||
| break/snap | *gɛni | geni- | ||||
| nape | *gubiN | gubĩ | ||||
| lime | *xami | ami | ||||
| friend | *xabiN | abiŋ [dial.] | ha:bim | |||
| spear | *xati | ɣa'si | ||||
| fence/wall | *xaɾi | 'xɑɾi | 'haɾi | ʔa:ɾi | ha'rɪ | |
| be in pain | *xaɾimɔ | ɣarimo- | ||||
| be enough | *xaɾini | ɣarini- | ||||
| die (pl.) | *xɔs[a]ŋgi | ɣosaŋgi- | ||||
| flying fox | *xɔŋgi | ɣoŋ'gi | ||||
| call/sing | *ɾi | ri- | ||||
| lie down | *ɾi | ri- | ɾi | ɾi | ri | |
| rib(s) | *ɾiN | rim-bigi | ||||
| twist rope | *ɾiN | rĩ- | ||||
| bird | *ji | ji | ɪ: | ʝi | ʝi | i: |
| fire | *ji(n) | jĩ | dziŋ | ʝi ≈ 'ʝin- | ʝi ≈ 'ʝin- | ji: ≈ n- |
| fruit/seed | *jindV-ɾɔ | jindɛ-ro | jindɔ-'ro | jindʒə-ɾo | ||
| path | *jɛdi | jɛdi | jɛ'di | jɛdʒi | jedʒi | |
| bandicoot | *j[a]mi | 'jemi ≈ 'jɛmi | 'jami | jemiʔ ≈ jamiʔ | ||
| scab | *j[a]miN | jamĩ | ||||
| mother's mother | *wi | wi | wi | wi | wi | wi |
| roof | *wɛnikɔ | we'niko | we'niko | we'niŋko | ||
| snake | *wati | wasi | 'wɑsi | wa'si | watʃi ≈ wa'si | wa'dʒi |
| river | *wadi | wa'di | 'wɑdi | 'wadi | 'wadi | wa'dɪ |
| bamboo knife | *waki | wa'ki | 'wɑki | wa'ki | waki |
In several examples where /*i/ is followed by mid back vowel /*ɔ/, it is lowered to [e] in Amagatsu and/or Drabbe's Pisà:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *i/Cɔ | i e ɛ | i | i | i | e | |
| see/find | *ɸitɔ | feto- | ɸi'tɑ | 'ɸita ≈ ɸi'to | 'ɸita ≈ ɸitɔ | he'to: |
| breath | *ɸiɾɔ | fero- | ||||
| kunai grass | *sisɔ | sɛ'so | siso | 'siso | 'siso | suso (?) |
| marsupial | *kisɔ | ki'so | ki'soɑ | 'kiso | keso | |
| eye | *kiɾɔ | kiro | ki'ɾo | 'kiɾo | 'kiɾo | ke:ro |
High central vowel /*ʉ/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *ʉ | u | ɯ [ɯ u] | ʉ [ʉ u] | ʉ [ʉ u] | ʉ [ʉ u ʊ] | |
| close eyes | *abʉN | abu- | ||||
| body | *adʉ | adu | ||||
| night | *asʉ | a'su | 'ɑsɯ | 'asʉ | 'asʉ | a'su |
| break/split (tr.) | *axaɸʉN | aɣafũ- | ||||
| taro | *ʉwi | wi | wi | ʉi | ʉi | wɜ |
| neck/throat | *mʉ(-tɔ) | mu(-'to) | ||||
| stomach | *madʉ | madzu [dial.] | madzu [dial.] | |||
| go out (of fire) | *bʉni | bu'ni- | ||||
| village | *butʉ | 'busɯ | bu'sʉ ≈ bʉ'sʉ | butʃɯ | butʃu | |
| bad smell | *paxa ɸʉ[N] | 'paɣa fu | patʃu: | |||
| banana | *tʉ | su | sɯ | sʉ | tʃɯ | tʃu: |
| urinate | *tʉ | su- | ||||
| cook/burn | *dʉ | du- | du- | dʒʉ | dʒu | dʒu |
| bow | *dʉN | dũ | dũŋ | ⁿdu | dʒũŋ | dʒʊn |
| island | *dʉbi | du'bi | ||||
| young man | *sʉbaN | 'subã | ||||
| mud | *sʉɾu | 'sɯru | ||||
| ripe/dry (?) | *kaɾʉ | 'kɑru | 'kaɾʉ | 'kaɾʉ | kʰaru | |
| cassowary | *kaɾʉwɛ | 'karuwɛ | 'kɑruwɛ | kaɾʉ'we | kaɾʉ'we | karuɛ |
| brain | *g[ʉ]N | gũ | ||||
| navel | *g[ʉ]N | gũ | ||||
| cloud/sky | *xɔwʉ | ɣoᵘ | xu ≈ xo | hoʉ ≈ hu | hoʉ ≈ hu ≈ ʔoᵘ | ou: |
| go down | *ɾʉ- | ru- | ||||
| chop down | *ɾʉ- | ru- | ||||
| thunder | *ɾʉ- | ru- | ||||
| scar | *ɾʉ[N] | ru | ||||
| boil (n.) | *ɾʉN | rũ | ||||
| canoe | *jaxʷʉN | jɛfũ | jɑ'xuŋ | ja'vʉŋ | ja'vʉŋ | jaɣʊŋ |
| worm | *wɛɾʉ | 'weru | 'weɾʉ | 'weɾʉ | eu'ru | |
| kill | *wʉ | wu- | -u- | -ʉ- | ||
| tail | *wɔbʉ | wo'bu | 'wobu | 'wobʉ | 'wobʉ | 'wobu |
High back vowel /*u/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *u | u | u [u ʊ] | u | u | u [u ʊ] | |
| gall/bile | *[ɛ]timuN | isimũ | ||||
| hide | *atuɾumɔ- | asurumo- | ||||
| bite | *asu | asu- | ɑsʊ- | asu | ||
| smoke | *aku | a'ku | 'ɑku | aku | aku | a'kʰu |
| seek/search | *agu | agu- | ɑgu- | agu | ago- | agʰu- |
| louse | *aŋgu | 'aŋgu | 'ɑŋgu | aŋ'gu | aŋ'gu | |
| louse | *mɛɾu | 'mɛɾu | meɾu | meru | ||
| blunt/dull | *mutu | mutʃu | ||||
| swallow | *m[u]kuN | mukũ- | ||||
| egg | *mugɔ | mu'go | mugɔʔ | mu'go | mu'go | muŋgo |
| lake | *pɔxuwɔ | poɣuwɔ | pou'wo | |||
| elbow/knee | *buN | bũ | buŋ | buŋ [dial.] | buŋ | |
| outside/below | *butaxa | 'butaɣa | 'butɑɣɑ | buta'ɣa | ||
| village | *butʉ | 'busɯ | bu'sʉ ≈ bʉ'sʉ | butʃɯ | butʃu | |
| fly (v.) | *buɾuN | burũ- | 'buruŋ- | buɾuŋ- | buɾuŋ- | buruŋ- |
| below | *[ɸ/x]u | fu | xu(h) | |||
| crocodile | *nagaɾu | naga'ɾuʔ | naga'ɾuʔ | nagru | ||
| 1 sg. | *nu | nu | nũ | nũ | nũ | nu |
| 1 pl. | *nugu | nugu | 'nugu | 'nugu | 'nugu | nuŋgu |
| cold | *taɾu | 'taru | 'tɑru | 'taɾu | 'taɾu | ta'ru |
| go down | *tu | su- | ||||
| daughter | *tub-ɾaN | subrã | ||||
| nipple | *tubu | subu | ||||
| ear | *tuɾuN | 'surũ | 'suruŋ | su'ɾuŋ | tʃuɾuŋ | tʃu'ruŋ |
| sago | *du | du | du | du | du | duʔ |
| roof | *dugi | 'duɣi | 'dʒugi | |||
| mud | *sʉɾu | 'sɯru | ||||
| nose | *susuN | 'susuŋ | 'susuŋ | susuŋ | ||
| slow | *sukum[a]N | 'sukumã | ||||
| carry | *kɛkuN | kɛkũ- | ||||
| older brother | *kapu | ka'pu | kɑ'pu | 'kapu | 'kapu ≈ a-'kabu | a-kabu |
| belly | *kaku | 'kaku | 'kɑku | ka'ku | ka'ku | ka'ku |
| two | *kɔɾumaN | kurumã | koru'mɑʔ | ku'ɾuma | ku'ɾuma | kʰɔrman |
| die (sg.) | *kuN | kũ- | kuŋ- | kuŋ- | kuŋ- | kuŋ- |
| wash | *kuN | kũ | ku(ŋ)- | ku(ŋ)- | ku(ŋ)- | ku(ŋ)- |
| sleep (n.) | *kunuN | kunũ | 'kunu | kunu- | kunu- | ku'nu- |
| goura pigeon | *kutɛ | ku'tɛ | ||||
| gather | *gigi[jɔ] kuN | gigio kũ- | ||||
| younger sibling | *kudɜ | ku'dɛ | kudɛ | 'kuda | 'kuda | |
| 2 sg. | *gu | gu | gu | gu | ||
| nape | *gubiN | gubĩ | ||||
| stone axe | *xabu | ɣa'bu | 'habu | ʔabu | a'bu: | |
| crocodile | *xajambu | 'ɣaⁱjambu | xɑ'jɑmbu | |||
| friend | *xɔmu | 'homu | ɔ:mu [dial.] | |||
| husband | *xu | -ɣu | -gu | -ɣu | -ᵘ | -u: ≈ -uʔ |
| milk | *xu[N] | ɣu | ||||
| yawn | *xuɸamɔ | ɣufamo- | ||||
| voice/speech | *ɾu | ru | ru | ɾu | ɾu | ru(:) |
| person | *[ɾ/j]ɔxu | 'juɣu | 'jogoŋ | 'ju'ɣu | ɾɔu | roʔu |
| inside | *wɔmu | 'womu | 'womu | 'womu | womu | gʷo'mu |
| green/blue | *wɔxu | 'woɣo | 'wuɣu | 'wuɣu ≈ wɔᵘ | woɣu |
Mid front vowel /*ɛ/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *ɛ | e [ɛ e] | e [ɛ e] | e [ɛ e] | e [ɛ e] | e | |
| weeping/crying | *iɸɛ | i'fɛ | i'fɛ | i'fɛ | ɛɸɛ | eɸia |
| do/make | *ɛmɔ | emo- | ||||
| 3 sg. poss. | *ɛna- | ena- | ɛn(a)- | ɛn(a)- | ɛn(a)- | ɛn(a)- |
| give | *ɛdV | edo- | ||||
| 3 sg. poss. | *ɛwa- | ewa- | ||||
| louse | *mɛɾu | 'mɛɾu | meɾu | meru | ||
| wound | *pɛsɔ | 'pɛso | ||||
| tongue | *ɸagɛ | fa'gɛ | ɸɑ'gɛ | 'ɸagɛ | 'ɸagɛ ≈ hage | ha'ge |
| root | *tatɛ | ta'tɛ | tɑ'tɛ | ta'tɛ | ||
| mud | *tawɛ | 'tawe | tawɛ | tawe | ||
| salt | *disɛ | di'se | di'se | di'se | ||
| older sister | *dɛ | dɛ | nɑ'tɛ | 'wadɛ | na'dɛ | nade |
| not | *dɛ | dɛ | ||||
| arrow | *dɛb[ɛ]ti | dibi'si | dɛ'bɛsi | debitʃi | eptʃi | |
| widower | *sɛN | 'sɛŋ-go | ||||
| carry | *kɛkuN | kɛkũ- | ||||
| bad | *kɛjɔN | 'kijoŋ | 'kejoŋ | 'kejoŋ | keijoŋ | |
| wet | *kakɛ | kake | 'kɑkɛ | 'kakɛ | 'kakɛ | |
| cassowary | *kaɾʉwɛ | 'karuwɛ | 'kɑruwɛ | kaɾʉ'we | kaɾʉ'we | karuɛ |
| goura pigeon | *kutɛ | ku'tɛ | ||||
| break/snap | *gɛni | geni- | ||||
| play | *xaɸɛ | ɣa'fɛ | ||||
| worm | *wɛɾʉ | 'weru | 'weɾʉ | 'weɾʉ | eu'ru |
When /*ɛ/ is followed by high front /*i/ in the next syllable, it tends to be raised to /i/ in Wildeman River:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *ɛ/_Ci | e i | ɛ i | e | e | e | |
| goanna. | *ɛbi | ɛbi [dial.] | 'ɛbi | |||
| sweet potato | *ɛdiN | 'idiŋ | 'ɛdiŋ | edʒiŋ | edʒiŋ | |
| 3 sg. | *ɛki | eki | i'ki | 'ɛki | 'ɛki | e'ke |
| one | *tɛ-isijɜ | tisije | te'sia | tɛsia | teisʲa | |
| wind | *kɛɸi | ki'fi | 'kiɸi | 'kɛɸi | 'kɛɸi | keɸi |
| sharp | *kɛtiN | 'kisĩ | 'kisiŋ | 'kesiŋ | kɪtʃiŋ ≈ kitʃiŋ | kitʃiŋ |
| path | *jɛdi | jɛdi | jɛ'di | jɛdʒi | jedʒi | |
| roof | *wɛnikɔ | we'niko | we'niko | we'niŋko |
Mid central vowel /*ɜ/ …:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *ɜ | e [ɛ e] | e [ɛ e] | a | a | a | |
| mosquito | *ɛⁱsɜ | ise | 'isɛ | i'sa ≈ ɛⁱsɛ [dial.] | i'sa ≈ isɛ | eisʲa |
| water | *ɜjɜ | ɛ | 'ɛ | 'aja | 'aja | aija |
| butterfly | *apɜɾɔ | 'apɛro | ||||
| coconut | *pɜjɔ | pe'jo | 'pejo | 'pajo | 'pajo | pajo |
| blind/deaf | *pɜjɔ | pɛ'jo | 'pɛjo | pa'jo | pa'jo | pajo: |
| hand/arm | *bidɜ | bi'dɛ | 'bidɛ | bi'da | bi'da | bi'da |
| one | *tɛ-isijɜ | tisije | te'sia | tɛsia | teisʲa | |
| come | *dɜ | dɛ- | dɛ | da | da | da: |
| dry | *sɜ | sɛ | sɛ | sa-ka'ɾa | sa-kᵊɾa | sa: ≈ sa-kra) |
| sun/day | *sawɜ | sa'wɛ | 'sɑwɛ | 'sawa | 'sawa | |
| not/no | *kaɾɜ | ka'rɛ | 'kɑrɛ | ka'ɾa | kaɾa | kʰa'ra ≈ kara |
| younger sibling | *kudɜ | ku'dɛ | kudɛ | 'kuda | 'kuda | |
| mouth | *xatɜ | ɣa'tɛ | xɑ'tɛ | 'hata | 'hat:a | ata |
| hunger/thirst | *jɜ | jɛ | ||||
| love | *jɜ | jɛ | ||||
| left | *wɜ | we | wa | wɛma | wa |
Mid back vowel /*ɔ/…
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *ɔ | o | o [ɔ o] | o [ɔ o] | o [ɔ o] | o | |
| stone | *ɛⁱɾɔ | i'ro | i'ro | 'eiɾo ≈ 'iɾɔ | 'eiɾo | ɛⁱro |
| do/make | *ɛmɔ | emo- | ||||
| butterfly | *apɜɾɔ | 'apɛro | ||||
| hide | *aturumɔ- | asurumo- | ||||
| excrement | *ɔ | o | ɔ | ɔ̃ | ɔ̃ ≈ o: [dial.] | o: |
| breast | *ɔN | õ | õŋ | õŋ | õŋ | õ |
| child | *ɔɸɔ | 'ofo | 'oɸo | 'oɸo | oho | |
| tail of bird | *ɔti-ɾɔN | 'osirõ | ||||
| behind | *mɔ | mo | mo | mo | ||
| mother's bro. | *mɔN | mõ | ||||
| small | *m[ɔ]nɔxɔ | 'monoɣo | mono'ɣo | mo'nɔɣɔ | monɔ ≈ məno | meʔno |
| afraid | *mɔki | 'moki | mo'ki- | moki- | moki- | |
| earth | *mɔkaN | mokã | ||||
| cheek | *mɔxɔN | moɣõ | ||||
| egg | *mugɔ | mu'go | mugɔʔ | mu'go | mu'go | muŋgo |
| wound | *pɛsɔ | 'pɛso | ||||
| coconut | *pɜjɔ | pe'jo | 'pejo | 'pajo | 'pajo | pajo |
| blind/deaf | *pɜjɔ | pɛ'jo | 'pɛjo | pa'jo | pa'jo | pajo: |
| lake | *pɔxuwɔ | poɣuwɔ | pou'wo | |||
| shin | *biniɾɔ | bini'ro | ||||
| short/blunt | *bagɔ | ba'go | 'bɑɣo | 'bogo | 'bogo | bogo |
| father | *bɔ | bo | bo | bo | bo | |
| shiver | *bɔbiN | bobĩ- | ||||
| elbow/knee | *bɔkiN | bokĩ | ||||
| think | *ɸimɔ | fimo- | ||||
| grandchild | *ɸiɾɔN | ɸi'ɾɔŋ | ɸi'ɾɔŋ | |||
| bamboo | *ɸijɔ | fi'o | ʍi'joʔ | 'ɸijo | 'ɸijo | fɪo: |
| breath | *ɸiɾɔ | fero- | ||||
| stink | *ɸɔxɔmɔ | foɣomo- | ||||
| go (imperative) | *nɔxɔⁱ | noɣoj | no'ɣi | 'noɣu ≈ 'noɣʉ | noʔi | noɪ |
| hole | *tɔ | to | tɔ | |||
| new | *tɔgɔ | 'togɔ | togo | |||
| armpit | *tɔgɔN | 'toɣõ | ||||
| afterbirth | *t[ɔ]gɔɾɔ | 'togoro | ||||
| finger/toe | *tɔɾɔN | torõ | 'toɾoŋ | 'toɾoŋ ≈ to'ɾɔŋ | to'ɾɔŋ | toraŋ |
| get up/stand up | *dɔtɔ | doto- | do'to- | do'to- | doto- | do'to: ≈ doto- |
| heart | *dʉb[u]ɾɔ | 'duburo | 'dʒubuɾɔ | 'dʒubuɾɔ | ||
| burn (intr.) | *dɔ | do- | 'do- | 'do- | do- | |
| mucus | *siniɸɔ | sini'fo | ||||
| kunai grass | *sisɔ | sɛ'so | siso | 'siso | 'siso | suso |
| earth/ground | *sɔxɔ | so'ɣo | so'xo | 'soxo ≈ sɔxɔ | 'soɣo ≈ soxo | soʔo |
| foot/leg | *kitɔ | kito | 'kito | ki'to | ||
| marsupial | *kisɔ | ki'so | ki'soɑ | 'kiso | keso | |
| eye | *kiɾɔ | kiro | ki'ɾo | 'kiɾo | 'kiɾo | ke:ro |
| bad | *kɛjɔN | 'kijoŋ | 'kejoŋ | 'kejoŋ | keijoŋ | |
| tree | *kasVrɔ | 'kasɛro | kɑso'ro | kasiɾo ≈ kasoɾo | kasiɾo ≈ kasoɾo | |
| red | *kaŋgɔN | 'kaŋgo | 'kɑŋgo | kaŋgɔ ≈ 'kaŋgo | kaŋgoŋ | kɐ̃ŋgõŋ |
| new | *kɔtɔxɔ | kotɔɣɔ | ko'toɣoʔ | |||
| garden | *gijɔN | giõ | ɣijoŋ | |||
| blood | *gɔN | go | goŋ | gɔŋ | gɔŋ | goŋ |
| bandicoot | *xaⁱjɔ | 'ɣajo | hɛijo | haijo(ʔ) | ||
| be in pain | *xaɾimɔ | ɣarimo- | ||||
| man | *xɔ | ɣo | xo | ɸ(u)- | ɔ- ≈ o- | ho:- ≈ o- |
| walk/go | *xɔ | ɣo- | ||||
| die (pl.) | *xɔs[a]ŋgi | ɣosaŋgi- | ||||
| flying fox | *xɔŋgi | ɣoŋ'gi | ||||
| ghost | *xɔxɔⁱ | ɣo'ɣoⁱ | 'hoɣo ≈ 'hoɣu | ɸɔɣɔⁱ | ||
| cloud/sky | *xɔwʉ | ɣoᵘ | xu ≈ xo | hoʉ ≈ hu | hoʉ ≈ hu ≈ ʔoᵘ | ou: |
| yawn | *xuɸamɔ | ɣufamo- | ||||
| fruit/seed | *ɾɔ | ro | ro | 'ro | ɾo | |
| say/speak | *ɾɔ | ro- | ro | ɾɔ | ro | |
| hair/leaf/feather | *ɾɔN | rõ | roŋ | ɾɔŋ ≈ ɾõŋ | ɾɔŋ | roŋ |
| weep/cry | *ɾɔN | roŋ- | ||||
| breadfruit | *[ɾ/j]awɔ | ja'wo | 'jɑwo | 'ɾawo | ɾawo | ra'wo |
| thorn | *jamɔxɔN | 'jamoɣõ | jɑməɣõŋ | jamɔ'kɔŋ | jɛmɔʔɔ ≈ jimɔ̃: | ⁿji:moʔo |
| copulate | *jɔN | jõ- | ||||
| 3 pl. | *jɔxɔ | joɣo | jo'ɣʉ ≈ jo'ɣo | jo'ɣʉ ≈ jo'ɣo | jo:o | |
| rattan/rope | *jɔxu | 'joɣomo | joɣomo | 'juɣumo ≈ joɣo- | jɔɣu | joɣu |
| roof | *wɛnikɔ | we'niko | we'niko | we'niŋko | ||
| thumb/big toe | *wadɔ | wa'do | wa'do | |||
| break/crush (tr.) | *waxaɾ[a]-mɔ- | waɣaramo- | ||||
| tail | *wɔbʉ | wo'bu | 'wobu | 'wobʉ | 'wobʉ | 'wobu |
| testicle | *wɔb[ʉ]-ɾɔ | 'wobu-ro |
When /*ɔ/ is followed by /*u/ in the next syllable, it is raised to /u/ in Drabbe's Pisà and sometimes in Miaro River and in Kewet River of Juvo. This does not occur if the intervening consonant is /*m/:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *ɔ/_Cu | u | o | u o | ɔ u | ɔ o | |
| right (side) | *ɔwu | 'ou | ou | uma | oᵘʔ | |
| two | *kɔɾumaN | kurumã | koru'mɑʔ | ku'ɾuma | ku'ɾuma | kʰɔrman |
| husband | *xɔxu | -ɣogu | ɸu: ≈ ɸuɣu [dial.] | ɔᵘ ≈ -oᵘŋ | ho:u: ≈ ouʔ | |
| person | *[ɾ/j]ɔxu | 'juɣu | 'jogoŋ | 'ju'ɣu | ɾɔu | roʔu |
| green/blue | *wɔxu | 'woɣo | 'wuɣu | 'wuɣu ≈ wɔᵘ | woɣu | |
| liver | *wɔwuN | wũ | wõŋ | wõŋ ≈wuŋ [dial.] | woŋ | wouŋ |
| *ɔ/_mu | u | o | o | o [ɔ o] | o | |
| friend | *xɔmu | 'homu | ɔ:mu [dial.] | |||
| inside | *wɔmu | 'womu | 'womu | 'womu | womu | gʷo'mu |
Low central vowel /*a/ …
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *a | a | a [ɑ] | a | a | a | |
| 3 sg. poss. | *ɛna- | ena- | ɛn(a)- | ɛn(a)- | ɛn(a)- | ɛn(a)- |
| rain | *a | a: | ɑ: | ʔa | ʔa(:) | a: |
| nest | *a | ji 'a | ||||
| vagina | *a-tɔ | 'ato | ||||
| drink (irrealis) | *ami | ɑmi | ami | ami | ||
| young woman | *am[i]gi | am'gi | ||||
| butterfly | *apɜɾɔ | 'apɛro | ||||
| hot | *apa | 'apa | 'ɑpɑ | a'pasi | apa(si) | a'pa |
| laughter | *ab[ɛN] | ab gi- | ɑb-giŋ | aba-'gi- | ab(i)-gi- | ap-gi- |
| close eyes | *abʉN | abu- | ||||
| leaf | *ana | ɑnɑ | ||||
| hide | *atuɾumɔ- | asurumo- | ||||
| body | *adʉ | adu | ||||
| tie | *ad[awɔ] | ada- | ɑde- | ada | -da- | ado |
| eat (future) | *a[n]di | adi- | andʒi | andʒ- | ||
| sneeze (n.) | *asiN | asĩ | ||||
| thin | *as[ɛ][x][ɛ] | 'aseɣe | ||||
| night | *asʉ | a'su | 'ɑsɯ | 'asʉ | 'asʉ | a'su |
| bite | *asu | asu- | ɑsʊ- | asu | ||
| smoke | *aku | a'ku | 'ɑku | aku | aku | a'kʰu |
| seek/search | *agu | agu- | ɑgu- | agu | ago- | agʰu- |
| dog | *aŋgi | aŋ'gi | 'ɑŋgi | 'aŋgi | 'aŋgi | aŋgi |
| louse | *aŋgu | 'aŋgu | 'ɑŋgu | aŋ'gu | aŋ'gu | |
| fish | *axaᵉ | a'ɣaᵉ | ɑ'ɣe | ʔa'ɣe | ʔaj | ae: |
| break/split (tr.) | *axaɸʉN | aɣafũ- | ||||
| cooked | *ma- | ma- | ||||
| beard | *mati | masi-rõ | ||||
| stand | *mati-ɛ | mase- | mɑ'si- | 'masi- ≈ ma'si- | matʃi- | matʃe- |
| stomach | *madu | madzu [dial.] | madzu [dial.] | |||
| tooth | *maga | ma'ga | 'mɑgɑ | ma'ga | ma'ga | maga |
| knee/elbow | *maɾ[ɔ/u] | ma'ɾu | ma'ɾu | ma'ɾu | ma'ɾo | |
| earth | *mɔkaN | mokã | ||||
| old (people) | *patʉ | patʃu: | ||||
| bad smell | *paxa ɸʉ[N] | 'paɣa fu | patʃu: | |||
| sit/stay | *ba | ba- | bɑ- | ba- | ba- | |
| soul | *b[a]na | bana | ||||
| bone | *bagi | bagi | 'bɑgi | 'bagi ≈ ba'gi | ba'gi | bagɪ |
| wing | *baɾ[ɔ/u] | baɾu: [dial.] | baɾɔ | |||
| outside/below | *butaxa | 'butaɣa | 'butɑɣɑ | buta'ɣa | ||
| not | *ɸa | fa | ||||
| tongue | *ɸagɛ | fa'gɛ | ɸɑ'gɛ | 'ɸagɛ | 'ɸagɛ ≈ hage | ha'ge |
| 1 sg. poss. | *na- | na | nɑ- | na- | na- | na- |
| eat (imperative) | *na | na | ||||
| wake (tr.) | *naɸiN | nɑɸi- | naɸi(ŋ)- | |||
| knowledge | *naɸaN | nafã | nɑ'ɸɑŋ | na'ɸaŋ | na'ɸaŋ | naxaŋ |
| crocodile | *nagaɾu | naga'ɾuʔ | naga'ɾuʔ | nagru | ||
| ant | *titaxa | 'sitʰɑ(ɣa) | sita'ɣa | tʃitʰaʔa | tʃetʃa:a | |
| root | *tatɛ | ta'tɛ | tɑ'tɛ | ta'tɛ | ||
| ashes | *taki | 'taki | tɑ'ki | 'taki | 'taki | ta'kʰɪ |
| tired | *taxaN | taɣã | ||||
| cold | *taɾu | 'taru | 'tɑru | 'taɾu | 'taɾu | ta'ru |
| mud | *tawɛ | 'tawe | tawɛ | tawe | ||
| hear | *da | da- | dɑ- | da | da- | da- |
| in front | *samaN | samam | ||||
| sun/day | *sawɜ | sa'wɛ | 'sɑwɛ | 'sawa | 'sawa | |
| young man | *sʉbaN | 'subã | ||||
| near | *kinaxaN | kinaɣã | kinɑ'ɣɑ̃ŋ | 'kina | 'kina | 'kiraŋ |
| nail | *k[i/ɛ]ja | ki'a | ki'jɑ | ki'ja | ki'ja | ke'a |
| older brother | *kapu | ka'pu | kɑ'pu | 'kapu | 'kapu ≈ a-'kabu | a-kabu |
| branch | *kabiN | kabĩ | ||||
| flesh | *kad[ʉ] | ka'du | 'kɑdu | 'kadzu ≈ ka'du | kadʒu ≈ ka'du | kadʒu |
| tree | *kasVɾɔ | 'kasɛro | kɑso'ro | kasiɾo ≈ kasoɾo | kasiɾo ≈ kasoɾo | |
| wet | *kakɛ | kake | 'kɑkɛ | 'kakɛ | 'kakɛ | |
| belly | *kaku | 'kaku | 'kɑku | ka'ku | ka'ku | ka'ku |
| red | *kaŋgɔN | 'kaŋgo | 'kɑŋgo | kaŋgɔ ≈ 'kaŋgo | kaŋgoŋ | kɐ̃ŋgõŋ |
| leech | *kaɾijaN | karia | 'karijɑŋ | kaɾijaŋ | ||
| not/no | *kaɾɜ | ka'rɛ | 'kɑrɛ | ka'ɾa | kaɾa | kʰa'ra ≈ kara |
| ripe/dry (?) | *kaɾʉ | 'kɑru | 'kaɾʉ | 'kaɾʉ | kʰaru | |
| cassowary | *kaɾʉwɛ | 'karuwɛ | 'kɑruwɛ | kaɾʉ'we | kaɾʉ'we | karuɛ |
| paddle | *kaxʷi | 'kafi | kɑfi ≈ kɑɸi | 'kawi | 'kawi | kawɪ |
| two | *kɔɾumaN | kurumã | koru'mɑʔ | ku'ɾuma | ku'ɾuma | kʰɔrman |
| raw/young | *[k/x]adaxaⁱ | 'kadaɣaⁱ | 'xɑdɑɣɑi | kada'ɣei | adaɣai ≈ adaɣi | adʰaʔɪ |
| 2 sg. poss. | *ga- | ga- | ||||
| skin/bark | *xa | ɣa | xɑ | ha ≈ xa | ʔa: ≈ ha | a: |
| head | *xaⁱbaN | ɣajbã | 'xɑibɑŋ | he'baŋ ≈ hi'baŋ | habaŋ ≈ ʔa'baŋ | aibaŋ |
| lime | *xami | ami | ||||
| widow | *xam[ɜ] | ɣa'mɛ | ||||
| far | *xamaN | ɣamã | xɑ̃mɑ̃ŋ | 'xama | amaʔ | a'ma |
| friend | *xabiN | abiŋ [dial.] | ha:bim | |||
| stone axe | *xabu | ɣa'bu | 'habu | ʔabu | a'bu: | |
| play | *xaɸɛ | ɣa'fɛ | ||||
| spear | *xati | ɣa'si | ||||
| mouth | *xatɜ | ɣa'tɛ | xɑ'tɛ | 'hata | 'hat:a | ata |
| fence/wall | *xaɾi | 'xɑɾi | 'haɾi | ʔa:ɾi | ha'rɪ | |
| be in pain | *xaɾimɔ | ɣarimo- | ||||
| be enough | *xaɾini | ɣarini- | ||||
| white | *xaja | 'ɣaja | 'xɑjɑ | ha'ja | ha'ja | |
| crocodile | *xajambu | 'ɣaⁱjambu | xɑ'jɑmbu | |||
| yawn | *xuɸamɔ | ɣufamo- | ||||
| take/hold | *ɾa | ra- | ɾa- | ɾa- | ||
| woman/wife | *ɾaN | rã | rɑŋ | ɾaŋ | ɾaŋ | raŋ |
| breadfruit | *[ɾ/j]awɔ | ja'wo | 'jɑwo | 'ɾawo | ɾawo | ra'wo |
| bark | *jaxaN | 'jaɣaŋ | 'jaɣaŋ ≈ ja:ŋ | ɲʲaʔa | ||
| lie(s) | *jaxam[a] | 'jaɣama | ||||
| canoe | *jaxʷʉN | jɛfũ | jɑ'xuŋ | ja'vʉŋ | ja'vʉŋ | jaɣʊŋ |
| 3 sg. poss. | *wa- | ewa- | wɑ- | wa- | wa- | |
| snake | *wati | wasi | 'wɑsi | wa'si | watʃi ≈ wa'si | wa'dʒi |
| *wadi | wa'di | 'wɑdi | 'wadi | 'wadi | wa'dɪ | |
| thumb/big toe | *wadɔ | wa'do | wa'do | |||
| bamboo knife | *waki | wa'ki | 'wɑki | wa'ki | waki | |
| ripe/yellow | *waxamaN | 'waɣamã | wa'ɣama | wama | waʔ'ma | |
| break/crush (tr.) | *waxaɾ[a]-mɔ- | waɣaramo- |
Diphthongs /*ɛⁱ *ɔⁱ *aⁱ *aᵉ/ …:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| *ɛⁱ | i | i | eⁱ [eⁱ ɛⁱ i] | eⁱ [eⁱ i] | eⁱ [ei eɪ ɪ] | |
| mosquito | *ɛⁱsɜ | ise | 'isɛ | i'sa ≈ ɛⁱsɛ [dial.] | i'sa ≈ isɛ | eisʲa |
| stone | *ɛⁱɾɔ | i'ro | i'ro | 'eiɾo ≈ 'iɾɔ | 'eiɾo | ɛⁱro |
| pig | *uwɛⁱ | u'i | wi | wei | wei | weɪ |
| goanna | *tɛⁱja | 'teija | 'teia | teije | ||
| river | *wadɛⁱ | wa'di | 'wɑdi | 'wadi | 'wadi | wa'dɪ |
| *ɔⁱ | oⁱ | i | o u ʉ | ɔⁱ i | oɪ | |
| go (imperative) | *nɔxɔⁱ | noɣoj | no'ɣi | 'noɣu ≈ 'noɣʉ | noʔi | noɪ |
| ghost | *xɔxɔⁱ | ɣo'ɣoⁱ | 'hoɣo ≈ 'hoɣu | ɸɔɣɔⁱ | ||
| *aⁱ | aⁱ | ɑi | ei ɛi e i | ai a i | aʔɪ aʔə | |
| raw/young | *[k/x]adaxaⁱ | 'kadaɣaⁱ | 'xɑdɑɣɑi | kada'ɣei | adaɣai ≈ adaɣi | adʰaʔɪ |
| give birth | *xaⁱ | ɣaⁱ- | ||||
| house | *xaⁱN | ɣãⁱ | xɑ̃ĩŋ | -ɣiŋ | ʔaĩ: | haʔə |
| head | *xaⁱbaN | ɣajbã | 'xɑibɑŋ | he'baŋ ≈ hi'baŋ | habaŋ ≈ ʔa'baŋ | aibaŋ |
| fence | *xaⁱti | ɣaⁱ'si | ||||
| bandicoot | *xaⁱjɔ | 'ɣajo | hɛijo | haijo(ʔ) | ||
| *aᵉ | aᵉ | e | e | aj | e | |
| fish | *axaᵉ | a'ɣaᵉ | ɑ'ɣe | ʔa'ɣe | ʔaj | ae: |
West Awyu free pronouns are reconstructed as follows, with forms drawn from Drabbe (1950: 99-100,) Kriens and Lebold (2010: 42,) Lebold, Kriens, de Vries and Rumaropen (2010: 45-46, 55-56) and Kriens, Lebold and Menanti (2011: 45-46):
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| 1 sg. | *nu | nu | nũ | nũ | nũ | nu |
| 2 sg. | *gu | gu | gu | ? | ? | gu |
| 3 sg. | *ɛki | eki | i'ki | 'ɛki | 'ɛki | e'ke |
| 1 pl. | *nugu | nugu | 'nugu | 'nugu | 'nugu | nuŋgu |
| 2 pl. | *g[ɔ]g[ʉ] | gugu | gu'gu | 'gɔgʉ ≈ 'gogu | 'gɔgʉ ≈ 'gogu | gugu |
| 3 pl. | *jɔxɔ | joɣo | ? | jo'ɣʉ ≈ jo'ɣo | jo'ɣʉ ≈ jo'ɣo | jo:o |
Possessive forms are found on kin terms, and are reconstructed as follows:
| West Awyu | Wildeman River | Wildeman River | Miaro River | Kewet River | Kewet River | |
| Pisà | Busiri | Keru, Khanami | Juvo B., K. | Amagatsu | ||
| 1 sg. poss. | *na- | na- | nɑ- | na- | na- | na- |
| 2 sg. poss. | *ga- | ga- | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 3 sg. poss. | *(ɛ-)wa-, *ɛna- | ewa-, ena- | wɑ- | wa-, ɛn(a)- | wa-, ɛn(a)- | ɛn(a)- |
Additionally, Drabbe (1950: 101-102) gives plural forms for Pisà possessors, but these are not attested in SIL's survey vocabularies or in other Awyu subfamilies.