Table of Contents

Becking and Dawi Rivers

Timothy Usher, Santa Fe Institute

Situation

[under construction]

The Becking and Dawi Rivers family consists of anywhere from two to six languages spoken along northerly tributaries of the Digul and Eilanden Rivers, just southwest of New Guinea's central cordillera.

Subclassification

The internal classification of Becking and Dawi Rivers is as follows:

[under construction]

Becking and Dawi Rivers

Becking River

Dawi River

Komyandaret

Tsaukambo

Sources

Baas (1981) Tsakwambo (unobtained)

Versteeg (1983) Tsawkwambo (unobtained)

van Enk and de Vries (1997) grammar, (pp. 221-225) 200 comparative terms and (pp. 226-243) 1,425 term vocabulary for Korowai

Wilbrink (2004) 240 comparative terms for Korowai of (pp. 103a-103f) Ajak, Danowage, and Yaniruma villages, (pp. 104a-104f) Mabul and Snimburu, (pp. 105a-105e) Miwagé, (pp. 106a-106f) Burukmakok after de Vries and an unspecified version of Korowai which appears to be the same underlying material as found in Hughes' (2009: 27-37) Abiowage

Hughes (2009: 27-37) 239 comparative terms for Korowai of Abiowage village, Komyandaret of Danokit and Tsaukambo of Waiburu

de Vries (2012) comparison of Baas' (1981) Tsaukambo and Korowai

Historical phonology

[under construction]

Proto-Becking and Dawi Rivers had perhaps 15 consonants and 6 or 7 vowels as follows:

*m *n
*p *t *s *k
*b *d *dz *g
*nd *ŋg
*w *l *j
*i *u
*e̝ *o̝
[*ɛ]
*a



Only a restricted set of consonants occurs finally:

*m *n
*p *t *s *k
*l

In accordance with a regional trend which affects all but the southernmost Awyu and Dumut languages along with Asmat, Sempan, East Mek and even Kaure, the most typical synchronic reflexes of Becking and Dawi Rivers vowels are as follows, with high mid back /*o̝/ raised to [u] and high back /*u/ fronted to [ʉ ɯ y]:

i ʉ u
ɔ
a



Initial consonants correspond as follows:

Becking-Dawi Dawi River Becking River
*m- *m *m
*n- *n *n
*p- *p
*t- *s *t
*t-/_e̝ *h *t
*t-/_o̝ *t
*t-/_ɔCi *h *t
*t-/_ɔCu *h *t
*s- *h *s
*k- *x *k
*b- *b *b
*d- *d *d
*dz- *d *dz
*g- *g *g
*ŋg- *ŋg *ŋg
*w- *w *w
*l- *l *l
*j- *j *j

Medial consonants correspond as follows:

Becking-Dawi Dawi River Becking River
*-m- *m *m
*-n- *n *n
*-p- *w *p
*-t- *t *t
*-s- *… *…
*-k- *x *k
*-b- *b *b
*-d- *d *d
*-nd- *nd *nd
*-ŋg- *ŋg *ŋg
*-w- *w *w
*-l- *l *l
*-j- *j *j

Final consonants correspond as follows:

Becking-Dawi Dawi River Becking River
*-m *N *m
*-n *N *n
*-p *C *p
*-t *C *t
*-s *C *s
*-k *C *k
*-l *l

Vowels and diphthongs correspond as follows:

Becking-Dawi Dawi River Becking River
*i *i *i
*u *u *u
*e̝ *e̝ *e̝
*o̝ *o̝ *o̝
[*ɛ] *e̝
*a *a *a
*… *… *…
*… *… *…
*… *… *…

These correspondences are exemplified as follows. Some comparisons below are based upon those of de Vries (2012 ibid.)

For clarity, our presentation is divided into three sections, beginning with initial and medial consonants, followed by final consonants, then vowels and diphthongs.


Initial and medial bilabial nasal /*m/ is retained as such in both subgroups:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*m- *m *m
drink *mi- *mi- *mi-
star *minɔp *minɔC
side *me̝n *me̝n
hand/arm *me̝t *me̝C *me̝t
vein *me̝t *me̝t
fire *me̝lit *me̝liC *me̝lit
dog *me̝jan *me̝jaN *me̝jan
hot *mamun *mamuN *mamun
grandmother *mak *maC *mak
mother's br. *mɔm *mɔN *mɔm
younger sister *mɔdɔt *mɔdɔC *mɔdɔt
father's sister*mo̝[t/l] *mo̝[C] *mo̝[t/l]
body hair *mo̝k *mo̝k
old *mul *mu *mul
*-m- *m *m
2 pl. adhort. *-mVn *-mVN *-mVn
do/make *-mɔ- *-mɔ *-mɔ
hot *mamun *mamuN *mamun
blow *po̝mɔ- *ɸo̝mɔ- *po̝mɔ-
smoke *te̝mul *-te̝mu *te̝mul
crocodile *sɔmaⁱ[t/l] *sɔmaⁱ[C] *sɔmaⁱ[t/l]
die *kɔmi- *xɔmi- *kɔmi-
weep/cry *jamɔ- *jamɔ- *jamɔ-

Initial and medial apical nasal /*n/ is retained as such in both subgroups:

Becking-Dawi Dawi RiverBecking River
*n- *n *n
mother *ni *ni *ni
friend *ne̝kɔ *ne̝xɔ *ne̝kɔ
1 sg. poss. *na- *na- *na-
brother-in-law*nabo̝[t/l] *nabo̝[C] *nabo̝[t/l]
rattan/rope *nan *naN *nan
1 pl. *nako̝p *naxo̝C *nɔko̝p
flesh *nɔp *nɔC *nɔp
index f./four *nɔndɔ *nɔndɔ *nɔndɔ
1 sg. *no̝p *no̝C *no̝p
*-n- *n *n
ashes *anɔm *anɔN *anɔm
number *-anɔp *-anɔC *-anɔp
snake *anɔs *anɔC *anɔs
star *minɔp *minɔC
mountain *panip *ɸaniC *panip
tired/sleepy *[t/s]ɔnute̝p*hɔnute̝C *tɔnute̝p
cassowary *sanip *haniC *sanip
person *janɔp *janɔC *janɔp

Initial bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*p- *p [ɸ]
name *pi *ɸi *pi
new/young*p[e̝/a]p *ɸaC *pe̝p
mountain *panip *ɸaniC *panip
blow *po̝mɔ- *ɸo̝mɔ- *po̝mɔ-
wind *po̝p *ɸo̝C *po̝p
cuscus *puwɔn *ɸuwɔN *puwɔn
sharp *pu[t/l] *pu[t/l]

Medial bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ is deoccluded to merged with non-stop /*w/ in Dawi River, a change shared with Wambon to the southeast:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*-p- *w *p [ɸ]
1 pl. adhort.*-pVn *-wVN *-pVn
older brother*ape̝ *awe̝ *ape̝
forearm/seven*tapɔt *sawɔ(l) *tapɔt
red *kapun *xawuN *kapun
man *wapit *wawiC *wapit

Apical plain stop /*t/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*t-
*…

…:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*t-
*…

…:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*-t- *t *t
mosquito*te̝tun *te̝tun
clan *-kato̝n *-xato̝N *-kato̝n
ear *kɔtɔp *xɔtɔC *kɔtɔp

Laminal voiceless /*s/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*s- *h *s
cross-child*sa- *ha- *sa-
cassowary *sanip *haniC *sanip

…:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*s- *s *s
crocodile*sɔmaⁱ[t/l] *sɔmaⁱ[C] *sɔmaⁱ[t/l]

…:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*-s-
*…

Velar voiceless stop /*k/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*k- *x *k [x]
flower *ke̝t *ke̝t
men's house *kaⁱm *kaⁱm
inside *kao̝p *kao̝p
red *kapun *xawuN *kapun
head *kabe̝jan *xabe̝jaN *kabe̝jan
skin/bark *kat *xaC *kat
clan *-kato̝n *-xato̝N *-kato̝n
tail *kande̝p *xande̝C *kande̝p
hornbill *kawe̝[t/l] *kaw[e̝]l
mouth *kalɔ- *xalɔ- *kalɔ-
white *kajɔ *xajɔ *kajɔ
arrow *kajɔ *xajɔ *kajɔ
taro *kaju *xaji
die *kɔmi- *xɔmi- *kɔmi-
leg *kɔbul *xɔbu *kɔbul
ear *kɔtɔp *xɔtɔC *kɔtɔp
belly *kɔndo̝[t/l]*xɔndo̝[C]*kɔndo̝t
bone *kɔlɔl *xɔlɔ *kɔlɔl
sky *ko̝t *ko̝t
*-k- *x *k
friend *ne̝kɔ *ne̝xɔ *ne̝kɔ
1 pl. *nako̝p *naxo̝C *nɔko̝p
2 pl. *gak[i/o̝]p *gaxo̝C *gakip
bamboo knife*waki *wax[i] *waki
left *wakan *waxaN *wakan
moon *wakɔl *waxɔ *wakɔl
jungle fowl *wako̝m *wako̝m
3 pl. *jak[i/o̝]p *jaxo̝C *jakip
dig *jaku- *jaxu- *jaku-

Bilabial voiced stop /*b/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*b- *b *b
tortoise sp. *bip *bip
fly (v.) *be̝di- *be̝di- *be̝di-
sit *ba- *ba- *ba-
wing *bao̝l *bao̝l
blunt/dull *baŋgɔ *b[a]ŋgɔ *baŋgɔ
mud *balum *baluN *balum
bow *baji *baji *baji
chin/jaw *bɔn *bɔN- *…
elbow/eight *bɔŋgo̝p *bɔŋgo̝C *bɔŋgo̝p
village *bɔlup *bɔluC *bɔlup
*-b- *b *b
2/3 pl. perf. *-ba-te̝ *-ba-e̝ *-ba-te̝
1 sg. perf. *-ba-le̝ *-ba-le̝ *-ba-le̝
2/3 sg. perf. *-bɔ *-bɔ *-bɔ
son *abul *abu *abul
brother-in-law*nabo̝[t/l] *nabo̝[C] *nabo̝[t/l]
upper arm/nine*tabo̝[t/l] *sabo̝[C] *tabo̝[t/l]
tooth *[t/s]ɔbit *hɔbi[C] *tɔbit
head *kabe̝jan *xabe̝jaN *kabe̝jan
leg *kɔbul *xɔbu *kɔbul
knee *gabum *gabuN *gabum

Apical voiced stop /*d/ …:

Becking-Dawi Dawi RiverBecking River
*d- *d *d
root *dit *diC *dit
middle f./three*dil *dil- *dil
cloud *de̝p *de̝C *de̝p
swim *dadu- *dadu- *dadu-
hear/know *… *daje̝- *daⁱ-
burn (intr.) *dɔ- *dɔ- *dɔ-
*-d- *d *d
younger sister *mɔdɔt *mɔdɔC *mɔdɔt
fly (v.) *be̝di- *be̝di- *be̝di-
swim *dadu- *dadu- *dadu-
wrist/six *g[e̝]d[o̝/u]n*gVdun- *g[e̝]do̝n

Laminal voiced /*dz/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*dz- *d *dz
bird *dze̝t *de̝C *dze̝t
banana*dzo̝p *de̝-jɔC *dzo̝p
netbag*dzun *duN *dzun

Velar voiced stop /*g/ …:

Becking-Dawi Dawi RiverBecking River
*g- *g *g
bamboo pipe*ge̝t *ge̝t
wrist/six *g[e̝]d[o̝/u]n*gVdun- *g[e̝]do̝n
nose *ge̝lip *ge̝liC *ge̝lip
2 sg. poss.*ga- *ga-
2 pl. *gak[i/o̝]p *gaxo̝C *gakip
song sp. *gɔm *gɔm
2 sg. *go̝p *go̝C *go̝p
pig *gɔ[t/l] *gɔ[C] *gɔ[t/l]
louse *go̝t *go̝C

Prenasalized apical stop /*nd/ …:

Becking-Dawi Dawi RiverBecking River
*-nd- *nd *nd
index f./four*nɔndɔ *nɔndɔ *nɔndɔ
scratch *[t/s]e̝nde̝-*he̝nde̝- *te̝nde̝-
tail *kande̝p *xande̝C *kande̝p
belly *kɔndo̝[t/l] *xɔndo̝[C]*kɔndo̝t

Prenasalized velar stop /*ŋg/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*ŋg- *… *…
*-ŋg- *ŋg *ŋg
blunt/dull *baŋgɔ *b[a]ŋgɔ *baŋgɔ
elbow/eight*bɔŋgo̝p *bɔŋgo̝C *bɔŋgo̝p

Bilabial non-stop /*w/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*w- *w *w
man *wapit *wawiC *wapit
bamboo knife*waki *wax[i] *waki
left *wakan *waxaN *wakan
moon *wakɔl *waxɔ *wakɔl
jungle fowl *wako̝m *wako̝m
paddle *walup *walup
thumb/five *wajɔ *wajɔ *wajɔ
*-w- *w *w
older sister*awu *awu *aw[u]
cuscus *puwɔn *ɸuwɔN *puwɔn
hornbill *kawe̝[t/l] *kaw[e̝]l
breadfruit *jawɔt *jawɔC *jawɔt

Apical non-stop /*l/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*l- *l *l
daughter *las *laC *las
*-l- *l *l
eat *(a)le̝- *(a)le̝- *(a)le̝-
cook/burn *alu- *alu-
earth/ground*ula[C] *wala[C] *ula[C]
fire *me̝lit *me̝liC *me̝lit
1 sg. perf. *-ba-le̝ *-ba-le̝ *-ba-le̝
mud *balum *baluN *balum
village *bɔlup *bɔluC *bɔlup
mouth *kalɔ- *xalɔ- *kalɔ-
bone *kɔlɔl *xɔlɔ *kɔlɔl
nose *ge̝lip *ge̝liC *ge̝lip
paddle *walup *walup

Palatal non-stop /*j/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*j- *j *j
lie down/sleep*je̝- *ja- *je̝-
3 sg. poss. *ja- *ja- *ja-
weep/cry *jamɔ- *jamɔ- *jamɔ-
person *janɔp *janɔC *janɔp
3 pl. *jak[i/o̝]p *jaxo̝C *jakip
dig *jaku- *jaxu- *jaku-
breadfruit *jawɔt *jawɔC *jawɔt
fruit/seed *jɔp *jɔC *jɔp
husband *jo̝m *jo̝N *jo̝m
3 sg. *jo̝p *jo̝C *jo̝p
*-j- *j *j
thorn *ajun *ajiN *ajun
dog *me̝jan *me̝jaN *me̝jan
leech *tajɔ *sajɔ *tajɔ
head *kabe̝jan *xabe̝jaN *kabe̝jan
white *kajɔ *xajɔ *kajɔ
arrow *kajɔ *xajɔ *kajɔ
taro *kaju *xaji
thumb/five *wajɔ *wajɔ *wajɔ




Only a limited subset of consonants /*m *n *p *t *s *k *l/ occur finally.

Final bilabial nasal /*m/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*-m *N [ø]*m
2 sg. adhort.*-m *-m
ashes *anɔm *anɔN *anɔm
liver *ɔᵘm *ɔᵘN *um
mother's br. *mɔm *mɔN *mɔm
mud *balum *baluN *balum
men's house *kaⁱm *kaⁱm
knee *gabum *gabuN *gabum
song sp. *gɔm *gɔm
jungle fowl *wako̝m *wako̝m
husband *jo̝m *jo̝N *jo̝m

Final apical nasal /*n/ …:

Becking-Dawi Dawi RiverBecking River
*-n *N [ø]*n
3 sg. adhort.*-n *-n
thorn *ajun *ajiN *ajun
side *me̝n *me̝n
2 pl. adhort.*-mVn *-mVN *-mVn
dog *me̝jan *me̝jaN *me̝jan
hot *mamun *mamuN *mamun
1 pl. adhort.*-pVn *-wVN *-pVn
cuscus *puwɔn *ɸuwɔN *puwɔn
chin/jaw *bɔn *bɔN- *…
rattan/rope *nan *naN *nan
mosquito *te̝tun *te̝tun
netbag *dzun *duN *dzun
red *kapun *xawuN *kapun
head *kabe̝jan *xabe̝jaN *kabe̝jan
clan *-kato̝n *-xato̝N *-kato̝n
wrist/six *g[e̝]d[o̝/u]n*gVdun- *g[e̝]do̝n
left *wakan *waxaN *wakan

Final bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ …:

Becking-Dawi Dawi RiverBecking River
*-p *C [ʔ]*p
1 sg. adhort.*-p *-p
number *-anɔp *-anɔC *-anɔp
house *ɔp *wɔC *ɔp
star *minɔp *minɔC
mountain *panip *ɸaniC *panip
tortoise sp. *bip *bip
elbow/eight *bɔŋgo̝p *bɔŋgo̝C *bɔŋgo̝p
village *bɔlup *bɔluC *bɔlup
1 pl. *nako̝p *naxo̝C *nɔko̝p
flesh *nɔp *nɔC *nɔp
1 sg. *no̝p *no̝C *no̝p
tongue *[t/s]e̝p *he̝C *te̝p
tired/sleepy *[t/s]ɔnute̝p*hɔnute̝C *tɔnute̝p
forest *tɔp *sɔC *tɔp
cloud *de̝p *de̝C *de̝p
cassowary *sanip *haniC *sanip
banana *dzo̝p *de̝-jɔC *dzo̝p
inside *kao̝p *kao̝p
tail *kande̝p *xande̝C *kande̝p
ear *kɔtɔp *xɔtɔC *kɔtɔp
nose *ge̝lip *ge̝liC *ge̝lip
2 pl. *gak[i/o̝]p *gaxo̝C *gakip
2 sg. *go̝p *go̝C *go̝p
paddle *walup *walup
person *janɔp *janɔC *janɔp
3 pl. *jak[i/o̝]p *jaxo̝C *jakip
fruit/seed *jɔp *jɔC *jɔp
3 sg. *jo̝p *jo̝C *jo̝p

Final apical voiceless stop /*t/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*-t *C [ʔ]*t
hand/arm *me̝t *me̝C *me̝t
vein *me̝t *me̝t
fire *me̝lit *me̝liC *me̝lit
younger sister*mɔdɔt *mɔdɔC *mɔdɔt
leaf *be̝t *be̝C *be̝t
roof *[t/s]e̝t *he̝C *te̝t
root *dit *diC *dit
bird *dze̝t *de̝C *dze̝t
flower *ke̝t *ke̝t
sky *ko̝t *ko̝t
bamboo pipe *ge̝t *ge̝t
louse *go̝t *go̝C
man *wapit *wawiC *wapit
breadfruit *jawɔt *jawɔC *jawɔt

Final laminal voiceless /*s/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*-s *C [ʔ]*s
snake *anɔs *anɔC *anɔs
hair *[t/s]o̝s *ɸo̝C *to̝s
daughter*las *laC *las

Final velar voiceless stop /*k/ …:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*-k *C [ʔ]*k
water *ak *aC *ak
grandmother*mak *maC *mak
body hair *mo̝k *mo̝k

Final apical non-stop /*l/ is dropped in Dawi River:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*-l *l
son *abul *abu *abul
excrement*ɔl *wɔ *ɔl
old *mul *mu *mul
wing *bao̝l *bao̝l
smoke *te̝mul *-te̝mu *te̝mul
leg *kɔbul *xɔbu *kɔbul
bone *kɔlɔl *xɔlɔ *kɔlɔl
moon *wakɔl *waxɔ *wakɔl

Vowels /*i *u *e̝ *o̝ *ɔ *a/ … There is no evidence for a low mid front vowel /*ɛ/ despite its existence in Korowai (q.v. van Enk and de Vries 1997: 54-65).

High front vowel /*i/ is retained as such in both subfamilies:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*i *i *i
drink *mi- *mi- *mi-
name *pi *ɸi *pi
mother *ni *ni *ni
tortoise sp. *bip *bip
root *dit *diC *dit
middle f./three*dil *dil- *dil
star *minɔp *minɔC
fly (v.) *be̝di- *be̝di- *be̝di-
fire *me̝lit *me̝liC *me̝lit
nose *ge̝lip *ge̝liC *ge̝lip
die *kɔmi- *xɔmi- *kɔmi-
tooth *[t/s]ɔbit *hɔbi[C] *tɔbit
hold *ati- *ati- *ati-
bow *baji *baji *baji
bamboo knife *waki *wax[i] *waki
mountain *panip *ɸaniC *panip
cassowary *sanip *haniC *sanip
man *wapit *wawiC *wapit

High back vowel /*u/ …:

Becking-Dawi Dawi RiverBecking River
*u *u *u
old *mul *mu *mul
sharp *pu[t/l] *pu[t/l]
netbag *dzun *duN *dzun
cuscus *puwɔn *ɸuwɔN *puwɔn
smoke *te̝mul *-te̝mu *te̝mul
mosquito *te̝tun *te̝tun
village *bɔlup *bɔluC *bɔlup
leg *kɔbul *xɔbu *kɔbul
tired/sleepy*[t/s]ɔnute̝p*hɔnute̝C *tɔnute̝p
older sister*awu *awu *aw[u]
cook/burn *alu- *alu-
swim *dadu- *dadu- *dadu-
dig *jaku- *jaxu- *jaku-
son *abul *abu *abul
hot *mamun *mamuN *mamun
mud *balum *baluN *balum
red *kapun *xawuN *kapun
knee *gabum *gabuN *gabum
paddle *walup *walup

One example of initial /*u/ is reflected as /*wa/ in Dawi River:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*u/#_ *wa *u
earth/ground*ula[C] *wala[C] *ula[C]

…:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*u/j_ *i *u
taro *kaju *xaji
thorn*ajun *ajiN *ajun

High mid front vowel /*e̝/ …:

Becking-Dawi Dawi RiverBecking River
*e̝ *e̝ *e̝
side *me̝n *me̝n
hand/arm *me̝t *me̝C *me̝t
vein *me̝t *me̝t
leaf *be̝t *be̝C *be̝t
tongue *[t/s]e̝p *he̝C *te̝p
roof *[t/s]e̝t *he̝C *te̝t
scratch *[t/s]e̝nde̝-*he̝nde̝- *te̝nde̝-
cloud *de̝p *de̝C *de̝p
bird *dze̝t *de̝C *dze̝t
flower *ke̝t *ke̝t
bamboo pipe *ge̝t *ge̝t
fly (v.) *be̝di- *be̝di- *be̝di-
fire *me̝lit *me̝liC *me̝lit
nose *ge̝lip *ge̝liC *ge̝lip
smoke *te̝mul *-te̝mu *te̝mul
mosquito *te̝tun *te̝tun
friend *ne̝kɔ *ne̝xɔ *ne̝kɔ
dog *me̝jan *me̝jaN *me̝jan
tired/sleepy *[t/s]ɔnute̝p*hɔnute̝C *tɔnute̝p
older brother*ape̝ *awe̝ *ape̝
eat *(a)le̝- *(a)le̝- *(a)le̝-
2/3 pl. perf.*-ba-te̝ *-ba-e̝ *-ba-te̝
1 sg. perf. *-ba-le̝ *-ba-le̝ *-ba-le̝
tail *kande̝p *xande̝C *kande̝p
hornbill *kawe̝[t/l] *kaw[e̝]l
head *kabe̝jan *xabe̝jaN *kabe̝jan

…:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*e̝/j_ *a *e̝
lie down/sleep*je̝- *ja- *je̝-

High mid back vowel /*o̝/ …:

Becking-Dawi Dawi RiverBecking River
*o̝ *o̝ *o̝
go up *to̝- *to̝-
father's sister*mo̝[t/l] *mo̝[C] *mo̝[t/l]
body hair *mo̝k *mo̝k
wind *po̝p *ɸo̝C *po̝p
1 sg. *no̝p *no̝C *no̝p
sun *to̝p *so̝C *to̝p
hair *[t/s]o̝s *ɸo̝C *to̝s
penis *[d/dz]o̝[t/l]*do̝l- *[d/dz]o̝[t/l]
sky *ko̝t *ko̝t
2 sg. *go̝p *go̝C *go̝p
louse *go̝t *go̝C
husband *jo̝m *jo̝N *jo̝m
3 sg. *jo̝p *jo̝C *jo̝p
blow *po̝mɔ- *ɸo̝mɔ- *po̝mɔ-
elbow/eight *bɔŋgo̝p *bɔŋgo̝C *bɔŋgo̝p
belly *kɔndo̝[t/l] *xɔndo̝[C]*kɔndo̝t
wing *bao̝l *bao̝l
inside *kao̝p *kao̝p
brother-in-law *nabo̝[t/l] *nabo̝[C] *nabo̝[t/l]
1 pl. *nako̝p *naxo̝C *nɔko̝p
upper arm/nine *tabo̝[t/l] *sabo̝[C] *tabo̝[t/l]
clan *-kato̝n *-xato̝N *-kato̝n
jungle fowl *wako̝m *wako̝m

…:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*… *… *…
banana*dzo̝p *de̝jɔC *dzo̝p

There is only scant evidence for a low mid front vowel /*ɛ/, which is marginal in de Vries' Korowai and does not exist in Dawi River:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*e̝
1 pl. perf.*-ba-lɛ *-ba-le̝ *-ba-lɛ

Low mid back vowel /*ɔ/ is retained as such in both subfamilies:

Becking-Dawi Dawi RiverBecking River
do/make *-mɔ- *-mɔ *-mɔ
2/3 sg. perf. *-bɔ *-bɔ *-bɔ
focus *-tɔ *-tɔ *-tɔ
burn (intr.) *dɔ- *dɔ- *dɔ-
mother's br. *mɔm *mɔN *mɔm
chin/jaw *bɔn *bɔN- *…
flesh *nɔp *nɔC *nɔp
forest *tɔp *sɔC *tɔp
song sp. *gɔm *gɔm
pig *gɔ[t/l] *gɔ[C] *gɔ[t/l]
fruit/seed *jɔp *jɔC *jɔp
index f./four *nɔndɔ *nɔndɔ *nɔndɔ
younger sister *mɔdɔt *mɔdɔC *mɔdɔt
ear *kɔtɔp *xɔtɔC *kɔtɔp
bone *kɔlɔl *xɔlɔ *kɔlɔl
die *kɔmi- *xɔmi- *kɔmi-
tooth *[t/s]ɔbit *hɔbi[C] *tɔbit
village *bɔlup *bɔluC *bɔlup
leg *kɔbul *xɔbu *kɔbul
tired/sleepy *[t/s]ɔnute̝p*hɔnute̝C *tɔnute̝p
elbow/eight *bɔŋgo̝p *bɔŋgo̝C *bɔŋgo̝p
belly *kɔndo̝[t/l] *xɔndo̝[C]*kɔndo̝t
cuscus *puwɔn *ɸuwɔN *puwɔn
friend *ne̝kɔ *ne̝xɔ *ne̝kɔ
blow *po̝mɔ- *ɸo̝mɔ- *po̝mɔ-
younger brother*mɔp-ka *mɔCka *mɔpVka
crocodile *sɔmaⁱ[t/l] *sɔmaⁱ[C] *sɔmaⁱ[t/l]
star *minɔp *minɔC
blunt/dull *baŋgɔ *b[a]ŋgɔ *baŋgɔ
leech *tajɔ *sajɔ *tajɔ
mouth *kalɔ- *xalɔ- *kalɔ-
white *kajɔ *xajɔ *kajɔ
arrow *kajɔ *xajɔ *kajɔ
thumb/five *wajɔ *wajɔ *wajɔ
weep/cry *jamɔ- *jamɔ- *jamɔ-
ashes *anɔm *anɔN *anɔm
number *-anɔp *-anɔC *-anɔp
snake *anɔs *anɔC *anɔs
forearm/seven *tapɔ[t/l] *sawɔ(l) *tapɔ[t/l]
moon *wakɔl *waxɔ *wakɔl
person *janɔp *janɔC *janɔp
breadfruit *jawɔt *jawɔC *jawɔt

To initial /*ɔ/ is preposed a prosthetic bilabial non-stop /*w/ in Dawi River:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*ɔ/#_ *wɔ
house *ɔp *wɔC *ɔp
excrement*ɔl *wɔ *ɔl

Low central vowel /*a/ is generally retained as such in both subfamilies:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*a *a *a
sit *ba- *ba- *ba-
1 sg. poss. *na- *na- *na-
cross-child *sa- *ha- *sa-
2 sg. poss. *ga- *ga-
3 sg. poss. *ja- *ja- *ja-
breast *am *aN *am
water *ak *aC *ak
grandmother *mak *maC *mak
rattan/rope *nan *naN *nan
skin/bark *kat *xaC *kat
daughter *las *laC *las
left *wakan *waxaN *wakan
hold *ati- *ati- *ati-
bow *baji *baji *baji
bamboo knife *waki *wax[i] *waki
mountain *panip *ɸaniC *panip
cassowary *sanip *haniC *sanip
man *wapit *wawiC *wapit
older sister *awu *awu *aw[u]
cook/burn *alu- *alu-
son *abul *abu *abul
thorn *ajun *ajiN *ajun
swim *dadu- *dadu- *dadu-
taro *kaju *xaji
dig *jaku- *jaxu- *jaku-
hot *mamun *mamuN *mamun
mud *balum *baluN *balum
red *kapun *xawuN *kapun
knee *gabum *gabuN *gabum
paddle *walup *walup
older brother *ape̝ *awe̝ *ape̝
eat *(a)le̝- *(a)le̝- *(a)le̝-
2/3 pl. perf. *-ba-te̝ *-ba-e̝ *-ba-te̝
1 sg. perf. *-ba-le̝ *-ba-le̝ *-ba-le̝
tail *kande̝p *xande̝C *kande̝p
hornbill *kawe̝[t/l] *kaw[e̝]l
head *kabe̝jan *xabe̝jaN *kabe̝jan
wing *bao̝l *bao̝l
inside *kao̝p *kao̝p
brother-in-law *nabo̝[t/l] *nabo̝[C] *nabo̝[t/l]
upper arm/nine *tabo̝[t/l] *sabo̝[C] *tabo̝[t/l]
clan *-kato̝n *-xato̝N *-kato̝n
jungle fowl *wako̝m *wako̝m
ashes *anɔm *anɔN *anɔm
number *-anɔp *-anɔC *-anɔp
snake *anɔs *anɔC *anɔs
blunt/dull *baŋgɔ *b[a]ŋgɔ *baŋgɔ
leech *tajɔ *sajɔ *tajɔ
mouth *kalɔ- *xalɔ- *kalɔ-
white *kajɔ *xajɔ *kajɔ
arrow *kajɔ *xajɔ *kajɔ
thumb/five *wajɔ *wajɔ *wajɔ
weep/cry *jamɔ- *jamɔ- *jamɔ-
forearm/seven *tapɔ[t/l] *sawɔ(l) *tapɔ[t/l]
moon *wakɔl *waxɔ *wakɔl
person *janɔp *janɔC *janɔp
breadfruit *jawɔt *jawɔC *jawɔt
dog *me̝jan *me̝jaN *me̝jan
younger brother*mɔp-ka *mɔCka *mɔpVka

In the first person plural free pronoun, /*a/ is raised and backed to /*ɔ/ in Becking River when followed by high mid back /*o̝/ in the second syllable; however this is not regular (above):

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*a/_Co̝ *a
1 pl.*nako̝p *naxo̝C *nɔko̝p

Diphthongs …

…:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*ɔᵘ *ɔᵘ *u
liver*ɔᵘm *ɔᵘN *um

…:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
*aⁱ
men's house*kaⁱm *kaⁱm
crocodile *sɔmaⁱ[t/l] *sɔmaⁱ[C] *sɔmaⁱ[t/l]

Pronouns

Becking and Dawi River free pronouns are reconstructed as follows:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
1 sg.*no̝p *no̝C *no̝p
2 sg.*go̝(-p) *go̝C *go̝p
3 sg.*jo̝p *jo̝C *jo̝p
1 pl.*nako̝p *naxo̝C *nɔko̝p
2 pl.*gak[i/o̝]p *gaxo̝C *gakip
3 pl.*jak[i/o̝]p *jaxo̝C *jakip

Possessive prefixes are reconstructed for singular persons only as follows. These are based upon those of Korowai (q.v. van Enk and de Vries 1997: 67-69) and on prefixes on some kin terms in Hughes (2009: 28) as well as outcomparison to their Central Digul River equivalents:

Becking-DawiDawi RiverBecking River
1 sg. poss.*na- *na- *na-
2 sg. poss.*ga- ? *ga-
3 sg. poss.*ja- *ja- *ja-

Verbal morphology

[under construction]


Loans from neighboring families

[under construction]

Loans from Dumut …:

DumutDawi RiverBecking River
day*alup *alup

Loans from Ndeiram River …:

Ndeiram RiverDawi RiverBecking River
village*… *… *…
sago *… *ndau