Omati River

Timothy Usher, Santa Fe Institute

Situation

The Omati River family, also known as Turama-Omatian, is comprised of three or four closely-related languages spoken along and around the inland reaches of the Omati and Turama Rivers in the westernmost portion of Papua New Guinea's Gulf Province (Franklin 1973: 263-267.) Its members are quite similar to one another, approaching mutual intelligibility (Petterson 2011: 4.)

Subclassification

The internal classification of Omati River is as follows:

Omati River

Barikewa

Kaser-Mouwase

Kaser

Mouwase

Sources

Johnston (1919-1920: 119) 130 comparative terms for Karima (Mouwase) of Kibeni village

Johnston (1921-1922: 166) 126 comparative terms for Barika (Barikewa) of Asanu village

Saunders (1923-1924: 57) 118 comparative terms for Dugeme (Dukemi Kaser)

Franklin ed. (1973: 573-575) 100 comparative terms for Ikobi-Kairi (Kikori River) and Mena varieties of Kaser and for Omati (Mouwase)

Petterson (1991) 190 comparative terms for Barikiwa (Barikewa) of Iba village

Petterson (2011) phonology of Turama River Kaser of Koumaio village

Petterson (2011) dictionary of Kaser

Petterson (2014) Kaser verb morphology

Carr (2006) 190 comparative terms for Barikewa or Kaiam village, Kaser of Koumaiou and Mowase of Gibidai

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.

Historical phonology

[under construction]

Proto-Omati River had at least 11 consonants and 7 vowels as follows:

*m *n
*t *k
*b *d *g
*s
*w *j
*i *u
*e̝ *o̝
*a

….

Only a limited set of consonants occurs finally:

*m *n
*t
*b
*s

Phonologically, Omati River dialects can be divided into two groups, those in which final consonants are very common, and those in which they are not allowed, and an epenthetic vowel is appended to erstwhile consonant-final roots to avoid them. This division crosscuts that between languages, for example Carr's Barikewa of Kaiam village has many final consonants but Petterson's Barikiwa of Iba often appends a vowel, while in both Petterson's and Carr's Turama River Kaser of Koumalou has final consonants, as does Franklin's Ikobi-Kairi dialect, but Franklin's Mena and both Saunder's and Petterson's Dukemi (Dugeme) dialects regularly append vowels. Mouwase is most consistent in this respect, but also employs and alternate strategy in which final consonants are sometimes lost altogether. In none of these cases is it clear that this final vowel is phonemic. These epenthetic vowels are relatively recent in origin and reflect the influence of the neighboring Kiwai and Inland Gulf languages, which disallow final consonants.



In addition to the simple vowels above, … diphthongs are found as follows:

*aⁱ *aᵘ
*aᵋ

Nasalization is contrastive, but is difficult to reconstruct because it is preserved only sporadically in Kaser. For example, /*isĩ/ “eye” is not directly attested as such, but nasalization is indicated by outcomparison to Lake Kutubu /*[i]hĩ/ and possibly in the Kaser compound /sĩ-guin/ “star”.

Tone is contrastive, but has not been indicated in the protoforms below.

Initial consonants correspond as follows:

Omati Barikewa Kaser Mouwase
*m- m m m
*n- n n n
*t- d h h
*t-/_Vs ? ø h
*k- ø k k
*b- b b b
*d- t t t
*g- k k k
*ɸ- ɸ ɸ ɸ
*s- s s s
*w- w w w
*j- j j ɾ

Medial consonants correspond as follows:

Omati Barikewa Kaser Mouwase
*-m- m m m
*-n- n n n
*-t- ɾ ɾ ɾ
*-b- β β β
*-d- ɾ t t
*-g- k k k
*-ɸ- ɸ ɸ ɸ
*-s- s s s

Final consonants correspond as follows:

Omati Barikewa Kaser Mouwase
*-m n m mV
*-n n n nV
*-t ɾ ɾ ɾV
*-b β β βV
*-ɸ ɸ ɸ ɸV
*-s s s sV

Vowels and vowel sequences correspond as follows:

Omati Barikewa Kaser Mouwase
*i i i i
*u u u u
*e̝ i
*o̝ u
*o̝/_ɛ ɔ ɔ ɔ
ɛ ɛ ɛ
ɔ ɔ ɔ
*a a a a
*a/_i a a ɛ
*a/_u a a ɔ
*aⁱ aⁱ aⁱ ɛⁱ
*aⁱ/m_ aⁱ aⁱ ɔⁱ
*aᵘ aᵘ aᵘ ɔᵘ
*aᵋ aᵋ aᵋ aᵋ
*
*
*
*

These correspondences are exemplified as follows, with Barikewa attestations drawn from Petterson (1991) and Carr (2006 ibid.,) Kaser from Carr (2006) and Petterson (2011 ibid.) and Mouwase from Carr (2006) and Petterson (2014 ibid.) unless otherwise indicated. Abbreviated sources are as follows: [hj] = Johnston (1919-1920: 119, 1921-1922: 166), [hs] = Saunders (1923-1924: 57,) [kf] = Franklin ed. (1973: 573-575.) Petterson's Kaser and Mouwase forms are phonemic; all other sources including Petterson's Barikiwa are survey vocabularies.

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.


Initial and medial bilabial nasal /*m/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*m- m m m m m m
house *min mìn ~ minì mîn mīn min mini ~ mina mini
meat/flesh *mis mīs mǐs mīs mis misi
speech *me̝n mèn min mini ~mina ~mi
who? *ma màˑ- mâˑ maː
bow *ma ma
fish *maⁱ mɨ̄i ˈmoï mə̀i mɨ̃i mɔi ~ mɛi məi
not *maⁱ mai ~ mə̄i məi- mɔi moia
water *maᵘ mu mɔu mou
head *mab ˈmàˑβō mɑβ màβ mɑβ maβɔ ~ maβa mɑβo
on/at *manɛ manɛ manɛ
branch *mat -maˑɾ mar marɛ ~ mara
old man *magaⁱ mākɨ̀i ~ mɑ̄kɨ̀iˈmɑkəi makə̀i mɑˈkəi makɛi mɑkei
big *magaᵘbu makuwu mɑ̀kuβu makauβu mɑˈkuβu makuβu mɑkuβu
knee *magu mɑ̄ˑkúˑ mɑ̀kú mɑˈku
tooth *magu -mākū -mɑ̄kù
but *mɔ -mɔ
again *mɔdɛ mɔtɛrî mɔtɛ
cloud *mo̝ mòˑ mõ̂ -mō -mu
*-m- m m m m m m
plural *-mɛ -mɛ̀ -me -mɛ
thumb *-ma -mā -ma -mà -mɑ -ma -mɑ
fly (n.) *b[u]mani bumani [hj] bumeni [hj]
egg *damɛ tāmē támɛ́ tamɛ̀ tɑme
soft *datamɛ₂ taramà taramɛ
bird's tail*dumi tūˈmì tumi tumi
navel *dum[a] tuma [hj] tuma [hs]
afternoon *samɛ₂ sāmə̀ sāmá samá sɑmɑ samɛ sɑme
view *sumin sumín sumi
pitpit *sumɛn sumɛn sumɛnɛ
bandicoot *suma sūmā sumá suma
chin *ko̝-mɛt ō-mɛ̄ɾɛ ko-mɛ́r ˈku-mer
dirt *[k/g]imi kimì kimi
wet *gimin kimín kimín kiˈmin kimina ~ kimi
back *gimit kīˈmīɾɩ kiˈmiɾi
heart *gamo̝ kāˑmò kɑ́mò kamù ~ -kamoˈkɑmu kamu ˈkɑmu
tongue *go̝mɛn kˈōˑmɛ̄n kɔ̄mɛ́n komɛ́n kuˈmén koˈmene

Initial and medial apical nasal /*n/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
*n- n n n n n n
name *ne̝ne̝n nēnēn ninín nenén ninín ninin ~ nininaniˈnini
1 pl. *na ná- na- nɑ- na nɑ-
eat/drink *na- nɔ̄- nɑ- nə- ~ na-nɑ- na- nɑ-
banana *naᵋ nàē náɛ̀ nɛ̀ ne
friend/relative*naɸ[u] nafu [hj] nafu [hs]
sky *nɔt ˈnɔ́ˑɾɔ̄ nɔ́r noɾ noro
*-n- n n n n n n
ergative *-nɛ -nɛ -nɛ
on/at *manɛ manɛ manɛ
when? *bɛsanɛ bɛ̄sànᵊ bɛ̄sánɛ̄n bɛsanɛ̂ biˈsɑne
fly (n.) *b[u]mani bumani [hj] bumeni [hj]
name *ne̝ne̝n nēnēn ninín nenén ninín ninin ~ nininaniˈnini
knowledge *tane̝ danē dɑní-
cassowary *sigina sīkīna sikinɑ́ sikinà sigiˈnɑ sikina sikiˈnɑ
knowledge *[k/g]ane̝ kane kɑˈni- kɛni- ˈkeni-
star *guⁱni ˈkūnˑìˑ kúˈnìː sin-kwin kuini kʷini

Initial apical voiceless stop /*t/ is voiced to /d/ in Barikewa and fricated and deoccluded to /h/ in Kaser and Mouwase:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*t- d d h h h h
yesterday/tom.*t[e̝/a]t dǎɾē dǎr̃ hēɾ hiɾ hira ~ hiri-ˈhiɾi
fruit/seed *taᵋ dàē haɛ ~ hã́ɛ haɛ hɑe
two *taᵋ hã̄ɛ ~ haɛhɑ̃ẽ haɛ
foot/leg *tãᵋ dāé dae hâɛ hɑ̃i haɛ hɑe
base/root *t… daūwī dāᵘí hɛⁱ hɛ́i ~ həihɛi hei
bone *tab dāˑwɔ̄ ~ ˈdɑ̄βɔdɑβ háβ hɑβ haβɔ ~ haβa ˈhɑβɔ
knowledge *tane̝ danē dɑní-
snake *tat hār hɑɾ harɛ ˈhɑɾe

When /*t/ is followed by /*s/ in the onset of the next syllable or root-finally, the expected reflex /h/ is dropped in Kaser and sporadically in Mouwase:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
*t-/_Vs ø h [h ø]
grass *tasan asan hasana
spittle/saliva*tɔs ɔs hɔsɔ
weep/cry *tus us- hus(u)- ~ us-

In one example, Barikewa initial [h] indicates a loan from Kaser:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*t₂- h h h
canoe*t₂aᵘ hə̄u həu hɔu

Medial /*t/ is lenited to non-stop [ɾ], as it is in Lake Kutubu:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*-t- ɾ r [ɾ]ɾ r [ɾ]ɾ
dual *-ti -ɾi -rí -ɾi -ri -ɾi
give *ɔt- ɔ̄rɔ̄- ɔrɔ- or-
old/rotten*b[a/ɔ]ti bāɾi bɑ̀ɾí bɑɾí bɔri ˈboɾi
dove *b[a/ɔ]tɛ bɔ́rɛ̀ -barɛ
finish *ɸ[ɛ]tɔ ɸɔrɔ́- ɸɛrɔ
soft *datamɛ₂ taramà taramɛ
good *d₂atɔ dàɾɔ̀ dɑɾo darɔ̀ ˈdɑɾo daɾɔ ˈdɑɾo
crocodile *sib₂ita sibirá sibira
rat/mouse *gaⁱɸati kɨ̄iɸàɾi ˈkɑiɸaɾi kɑiɸaˈɾikɛiɸari keiˈɸaɾi
sit *gati- koɾí- kəri kɑˈɾi- kɛri- ˈkeɾi-
rain *go̝te̝ kōɾē kóɾé ko̝re̝ kuɾí kuɾi
louse *gutɔm kūɾɔ̄n kūɾɔ́n kuˈɾom kuɾomo

Velar voiceless stop /*k/ is only found intially, where it is retained as such in Kaser and Mouwase and dropped in Barikewa:

Omati River Barikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*k- ø ø k k k k
stone/rock*kam āmò ɑ́mò kām kɑm ka ~ kamaˈkɑmo
small *kɔse̝(-me̝)sī-mbīʔ sī-mí kɔse(-me)ˈkos-mi
lung(s) *kɔsɛ ˈkuse kɔsɛ kose
mouth *ko̝ ō- ~ ōˑ- u- ~ ˈôː-kò- ku- ku- ku-
laugh *ko̝a wāː waː- koa- koɑ- ~ kwɑ-kɔa- ˈkoɑ-

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

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*b- b b b b b b
lie down/sleep *bis- bis- bis- bis- bis- bisi- bis-
come *be̝n- bēn- bi- ben- bi- bi(n)- ~ bɛ-bi-
turn over *bɛ- bɛ- bɛ-
woman *bɛs bɛ̄ ́sɛʔ bɛ̄s bes bɛsɛ ~ bɛsa ˈbese
when? *bɛsanɛ bɛ̄sànᵊ bɛ̄sánɛ̄n bɛsanɛ̂ biˈsɑne
what? *ba baː
sap *baⁱ bəi
break *baᵋ- bəɛ baɛ ~ bai
child *baᵘm baum ~ bə́umbɑun- ~ -bombumu ~ buma bon- ~ -bumo
old/rotten *b[a/ɔ]ti bāɾi bɑ̀ɾí bɑɾí bɔri ˈboɾi
dove *b[a/ɔ]tɛ bɔ́rɛ̀ -barɛ
hair/leaf/feather*bɔt -bɔ̄ɾɔ̄ ~ -bɔ̄ɾ-bór ~ -bɔ̄r̃-bɔ̀r -bor -bɔrɔ ~ -bɔr-ˈboɾo
neck *bo̝gɔ ˈboko bokɔ̀ buˈko bɔkɔ
fly (n.) *b[u]mani bumani [hj] bumeni [hj]

Root-medial /*b/ is lenited to [β] in all dscendants. This is synchronically viewable as /w/, because medial [b] /*b₂/ is well established in loans (below,) there is otherwise no trace of Omati River medial /*w/, and because neighboring inland Gulf languages typically occlude medial but not initial /*w/:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr PettersonCarr
*-b- β w β w β β β β
indicative *-bɔ -βɔ ~ -wɔ -wo ~ -βo ~ -βɔ
wind *Vbubu āβūβū āβúβū iβuβu ˈiβuβu
big *magaᵘbu makuwu mɑ̀kuβu makauβu mɑˈkuβu makuβu mɑkuβu
heavy *d₂abi dāβí dɑ́βí dɑβí
share *d₂uba duβa duβa
earth/ground*sabɔ sāˈβɔ̀ sɑ̄βó saβɔ́ sɑˈβo
frog *sɔbɛ sūβɛ́ sɔ̀wɛ́ sɔβɛ́ soβe
corpse *[k/g]o̝bo̝ koβo kuβu
cold *ge̝be̝ kēβè kíβi keβè kiβi kiβi kiβi
netbag *gabɔs kāβɔ́s kàˈwɔ́s kaβɔs kɑβos kaβɔsɔ kɑβɔsɔ
ear *gɔbi kɔ́βī kóβi kɔβi ˈkoβi kɔβi
person *go̝bɛ koβɛ ~ kɔβɛ kɔ̀βɛ́ kɔβɛ́ ~ koβɛkoβe ~ kuβe
vine *jabu jɑ́βú iɑβu rɔβu ɾoβu
moon *wasiba ˈwáːsīβā ~
ˈwáːsīwā
wáːsiβàː βasiβà wɑsiβa

Medial [*b] in native words indicates a compound or reduplication. It is sometimes realized as voiceless [p] in Petterson's Barikiwa and Mouwase:

Omati River Barikiwa Barikewa Kaser KaserMouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
*…-b- b [b p]b b bb [b p]b [b p]
butterfly*b[ɔⁱ]-b[ɔⁱ] bui-bui [hj] pɔi-pɔi
sole *tãᵋ-baᵋ dāé-pāɛ́ dai-bai [hj] haɛ-paɛ hɑe-pɑe
six (?) *se̝-bɔt sé-bɔ̀r
mouth *ko̝-bɔ ō-bɔ̄ ku-bɔ ku-bo

Here root-medial [b] indicates a loan from Inland Gulf or Kiwai:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*-b₂- b b b b b
wallaby *tɛb₂ɛtɛ tɛ̀bɛrɛ ˈtebeɾetɛbɛrɛ ˈtebeɾe
crocodile *sib₂ita sibirá sibira
flying fox*gub₂ɛi kūbèi kúbɛ̀i kubei kubei

…:

Omati River Barikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr Petterson Carr PettersonCarr
*-b₂- (?) b b ?? b
father *ab₂[a] ˈɑbɑ́ abá ~ abɔ̀
man's sister*bab₂[o̝] bɑˈbo

Initial apical voiced stop /*d/ is devoiced to /t/ in all descendants:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
*d- t t t t t t
hit/beat/kill *dɛ- tɛ̄- te- tɛ- te-
path *dɛⁱ tíː rei [kf]
two *d[aⁱ] tēi tɛ́i: -tai -tɑi
egg *damɛ tāmē támɛ́ tamɛ̀ tɑme
father *dab[u] tāβù taβu tɑβu
theft *dan tan -tana ~ -ta
soft *datamɛ₂ taramà taramɛ
egg *daᵘm -tə́um tɔumu ~ tɔutoumu
see *do̝- tōˑ- tu- to- tu- tɔ- to-
bird's tail *dumi tūˈmì tumi tumi
navel *dum[a] tuma [hj] tuma [hs]
index finger/4*duɸ tufu [hj]-tùɸ tufu ~ tufi [hj]

… /*d₂/ …:

:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr Petterson Carr PettersonCarr
*d₂- d d d d d
body *d₂in dìˑn -dini [hj]dìn -dino [hj]
path *d₂igɛ dikɛ́ ˈdike dikɛ ˈdike
pandanus sp.*d₂aᵘ də́u dɔu-
sago *d₂am dám damɔ ~ da
go up *d₂ab- daβ ~ daβɔ daβɔ
heavy *d₂abi dāβí dɑ́βí dɑβí
good *d₂atɔ dàɾɔ̀ dɑɾo darɔ̀ ˈdɑɾo daɾɔ ˈdɑɾo
lime *d₂ɔ do [hj] do [hs] do [hj]
make *d₂ɔ-d₂ɔ dɔdɔ̀ dɔdɔ
fall *d₂ɔɸi dɔɸi dɔɸi
after/behind*d₂u du
fireplace *d₂um dúm duma dumu
share *d₂uba duβa duβa
bean *d₂ugɔt dūkɔ̀ duˈkɔ̄ː̀ dukɔr dukoɾ

…:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*d-/…- t t t t t
long *sɔ-diɸ sɔ̄-tīf so-tiɸ sɔ-tiɸi ˈsoː-tifi
eyeball*isi-daᵘm si-tə́um si-tom isi-tɔmu
elbow *se̝-dagu sé-tākù ˈsi-tɑ́kà si-tɑˈkusi-tuku ˈsi-tuku

…:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*d d ? d ? d
arm *se̝-din sē dìn si-dini [hj] si-dini [hs] si-dino [sic] [hj]

…:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*-d- ɾ t tt t
older sibling*adɛ āɾè ɑ́ɾe atè ɑte atɛ ˈɑte
again *mɔdɛ mɔtɛrî mɔtɛ

Velar voiced stop /*g/ is devoiced to /k/ in all descendants. Initially, /*g/ much more common than /*k/:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*g- k k k k k k
wet *gimin kimín kimìn kiˈmin kimina ~ kimi
back *gimit kīˈmīɾɩ kiˈmiɾi
claw *giɸ kíːɸ ˈkìɸi
sand *gigi[n] kíkín kiki
cold *ge̝be̝ kēβè kíβi keβè kiβi kiβi kiβi
mosquito *ge̝so̝n kisinu [hj]kesón kisunu
tusk *gɛsɛga kēsēkɑ̄ késéˈkâ kisⁱˈkɑ kɛsɛka ˈkesekɑ́
yam *gɛsab kēsāβɔ kèˈsáβ kesɑβ
blood *gaⁱ kɨ̄í kəi kə́i kəi kɛi kei
old *gaⁱ káe kai kɑi
tail *gaᵘ kə̀u kəu kɔu kou
rat/mouse *gaⁱɸati kɨ̄iɸàɾi ˈkɑiɸaɾi kɑiɸaˈɾi kɛiɸari keiˈɸaɾi
bird *gaᵋ káɛ kɑe kaɛ kɑe
heart *gamo̝ kāˑmò kɑ́mò kamù ~ -kamo ˈkɑmu kamu ˈkɑmu
night *gaɸo̝n kāˈɸòn kàˈɸón kaɸon ~ kaɸúnkɑɸun kaɸu ~ kaɸunukɑɸunu
rain/snake *gab kāβɔ́ kɑwó kap [kf] kavo [kf]
netbag *gabɔs kāβɔ́s kàˈwɔ́s kaβɔs kɑβos kaβɔsɔ kɑβɔsɔ
sit *gati- koɾí- kəri kɑˈɾi kɛri- ˈkeɾi-
dog *gas kàˑs kɑs kās kɑs kasɛ ~ kasa kɑse
new *gasi kāsì kâsî kɑˈsí kɛsi keˈsi
die *gase̝- kàse- kase- kas- kɑsi- kasi- kɑsi-
pig *gɔn kɔ̀n kon kɔn kono
saliva/spittle *gɔs[ɛ] kose [hj]
ear *gɔbi kɔ́βī kóβi kɔβi ˈkoβi kɔβi
ear *go̝ ko kuku
tongue *go̝mɛn kˈōˑmɛ̄n kɔ̄mɛ́n komɛ́n kuˈmén koˈmene
person *go̝bɛ koβɛ ~ kɔβɛ kɔ̀βɛ́ kɔβɛ́ ~ koβɛ koβe ~ kuβe
rain *go̝te̝ kōɾē kóɾé kore kuɾí kuɾi
dry *gu ku ku
song/dance *guⁱn ˈkwiìːn- kuīn kuin- kʷi-
star *guⁱni ˈkūnˑìˑ kúˈnìː sin-kwin kuini kʷini
flying fox *gub₂ɛi kūbèi kúbɛ̀i kubei kubei
short *guɸi kōɸɨ̄i kūɸi kuˈɸi kuɸi kufi
louse *gutɔm kūɾɔ̄n kūɾɔ́n kuˈɾom kuɾomo
claw/nail *gujɔ̃ kuiɔ kuiṍ
*-g- k k k k k k
old man *magaⁱ mākɨ̀i ~ mɑ̄kɨ̀iˈmɑkəi makə̀i mɑˈkəi makɛi mɑkei
knee *magu mɑ̄ˑkúˑ mɑ̀kú mɑˈku
tooth *magu -mākū -mɑ̄kù
big *magaᵘbu makuwu mɑ̀kuβu makauβu mɑˈkuβu makuβu mɑkuβu
neck *bo̝gɔ ˈboko bokɔ̀ buˈko bɔkɔ
chest *ɸaga ɸāˈkà ɸakà ɸaka
path *d₂igɛ dikɛ́ ˈdike dikɛ ˈdike
elbow *-dagu -tākù -tɑ́kà -tɑˈku -tuku -tuku
cassowary *sigina sīkīna sikinɑ́ sikinà sigiˈnɑ sikina sikiˈnɑ
father's sister*sigase̝ sikasè sikasi
one *sagan sakán sɑˈkɑn sakana ~ sakasɑkɑ
tobacco *so̝go̝ sūkú sókóː sokó suku suku
sand *gigi[n] kíkín kiki
tusk *gɛsɛga kēsēkɑ̄ késéˈkâ kisⁱˈkɑ kɛsɛka ˈkesekɑ́

Inital and medial bilabial fricative /*ɸ/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*ɸ- ɸ [f] ɸ ɸ [ɸ f]ɸ ɸ
sweat *ɸisV ɸisu
taro *ɸe̝t fir̃ ɸér fiɾ
knife *ɸe̝t ɸer- ɸiɾ- ɸiri ~ ɸira ɸiɾi
finish *ɸ[ɛ]tɔ ɸɔrɔ́- ɸɛrɔ
areca nut *ɸaᵋ ɸāē
day *ɸaᵋ ɸàɛ ɸaɛ
chest *ɸaga ɸāˈkà ɸakà ɸaka
*-ɸ- ɸ [ɸ f]ɸ ɸ [ɸ f]ɸ ɸ [ɸ f]
light (weight) *[ɔ]ɸɛ ɛ̄fɛ́ ɛɸɛ́ ɛɸɛ́ eɸe ɔɸe
friend/relative*naɸ[u] nafu [hj] nafu [hs]
fall *d₂ɔɸi dɔɸi dɔɸi
rat/mouse *gaⁱɸati kɨ̄iɸàɾi ˈkɑiɸaɾi kɑiɸaˈɾi kɛiɸari keiˈɸaɾi
night *gaɸo̝n kāˈɸòn kàˈɸón kaɸon ~ kaɸúnkɑɸun kaɸu ~ kaɸunukɑɸunu
short *guɸi kōɸɨ̄i kūɸi kuˈɸi kuɸi kufi

Initial and medial fricative /*s/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Omati River Barikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*s- s s s s s
crocodile *sib₂ita sibirá sibira
cassowary *sigina sīkīna sikinɑ́ sikinà sigiˈnɑsikina sikiˈnɑ
father's sister*sigase̝ sikasè sikasi
hand/arm *se̝ sē ~ sɩˑ- si ~ sé si si si
three *se̝t sèˑɾē sɛ̀ⁱr̃ sēr siɾ sir ~ siri siɾi
hornbill *s[ãᵘ] so [hj] so [hs]sɔu
white *sabia sēβà séβàː saβia sɑβiɑ́ sɛβɛa seβeɑ
fat/grease *sam sàˑn sān sɑm sama sɑmo
afternoon *samɛ₂ sāmə̀ sāmá samá sɑmɑ samɛ sɑme
earth/ground *sabɔ sāˈβɔ̀ sɑ̄βó saβɔ́ sɑˈβo
one *sagan sakán sɑˈkɑn sakana ~ sakasɑkɑ
long *sɔ sɔ̄- so- sɔ̀ so ˈsoː-
frog *sɔbɛ sūβɛ́ sɔ̀wɛ́ sɔβɛ́ soβe
breast *sõ̝ sóˑ su su su su
garden *so̝n sòˑn son sunu ~suna~su
tobacco *so̝go̝ sūkú sókóː sokó suku suku
smoke *suⁱn -sūˑ -sũì -sín -sini
view *sumin sumín sumi
pitpit *sumɛn sumɛn sumɛnɛ
bandicoot *suma sūmā sumá suma
*-s- s s s s s
eye *isĩ si isi isi
sun *ɛsɔa ˈíˈsūː ~ ɩsuwuésóò iɔs jos soa ˈsoɑ
that *asa ˈɑsɑ
lie down/sleep *bis- bis- bis- bis- bis- bisi- bis-
when? *bɛsanɛ bɛ̄sànᵊ bɛ̄sánɛ̄n bɛsanɛ̂ biˈsɑne
sweat *ɸisu ɸisu
grass *tasan asan hasana
father's sister*sigase̝ sikasè sikasi
small *kɔse̝(-me̝) sī-mbīʔ sī-mí kɔse(-me) ˈkos-mi
lung(s) *kɔsɛ ˈkuse kɔsɛ kose
kina shell *[k/g]usi(-mat) kusí(-mar) kusi-marɛ
cut up *[k/g]usu kusu kukusu
mosquito *ge̝so̝n kisinu [hj]kesón kisunu
tusk *gɛsɛga kēsēkɑ̄ késéˈkâ kisⁱˈkɑkɛsɛka ˈkesekɑ́
yam *gɛsab kēsāβɔ kèˈsáβ kesɑβ
new *gasi kāsì kâsî kɑˈsí kɛsi keˈsi
die *gase̝- kàse- kase- kas- kɑsi- kasi- kɑsi-
saliva/spittle *gɔs[e/ɛ] kose [hj]
moon *wasiba ˈwáːsīβā wáːsiβàː βasiβà wɑsiβa
spear *wasum wɑsum βɔsumu wɑsumo

Bilabial non-stop /*w/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
*w- w [w u]β [w]w β [w] w [w v]
shoulder*w[aⁱ] -wūˑ -wì wi βɔi wei
water *wẽ̝ wēː we ~ ué
seedling*wãᵋ wáɛ wə̃ĩ βai ~ -βaɛ
moon *wasiba ˈwáːsīβā wáːsiβàː βasiβà wɑsiβa
spear *wasum wɑsum βɔsumu wɑsumo
people *wɔm wɔ̄n wɔn βɔ́m wom βɔm ˈwomo

Palatal non-stop /*j/ occurs only root-initially, where it is occluded to apical /r/ [ɾ] in Mouwase:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*j- j jr ɾ
2 pl. *ja já- ˈjɑ- ra ɾɑ-
vine *jabu jɑ́βú iɑβu rɔβu ɾoβu
yellow *jaja jǣjā jèjá jijɑ ˈɾɑɾɑ
sugarcane *jɔᵘ jɔù jóù jou rɔu ɾou
nose/point*ju -ju

The only known example of medial /*j/ is likely a reduplication:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*-j- j j ɾ
yellow*jaja jǣjā jèjá jijɑ ˈɾɑɾɑ

Only a restricted set of consonants occurs finally ….

Final bilabial nasal /*m/ is found only following non-front vowels /*u * ɔ *aᵘ *a/. It is reflected as apical /n/ in Barikewa. …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*-m/u_ m m mu ma mu mo
fireplace *d₂um dúm duma dumu
fire/red *[k/g]um kùm kum kumu ˈkumu
spear *wasum wɑsum βɔsumu wɑsumo
*-m/aᵘ_ m m mu ma ø mu mo
child *baᵘm baum ~ bə́umbɑun- ~ -bombumu ~ buma
~bu
bon- ~ -bumo
egg *daᵘm -tə́um tɔumu ~ tɔu toumu
*-m/ɔ_ n m m m ma ø mo
morning *[k/g]ɛɔm kiɔ̀m kjom kɛo ~ kɛoma keou ~ ˈkeoma
louse *gutɔm kūɾɔ̄n kūɾɔ́n kuˈɾom kuɾomo
people *wɔm wɔ̄n wɔn βɔ́m wom βɔm ˈwomo
*-m/a_ n m m mɔ ma ø mo
sago *d₂am dám damɔ ~ da
fat/grease*sam sàˑn sān sɑm sama sɑmo

…:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*…
stone/rock*kam āmò ɑ́mò kām kɑm ka ~ kamaˈkɑmo

Final /*n/ …:

Omati River Barikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*-n/i_ n n n ni na ø ni
this/here*ɛn ɛn en ɛni ~ ɛn- ˈenɑ
house *min mìn ~ minìmîn mīn min mini ~ mina mini
speech *me̝n mèn min mini ~mina ~mi
body *d₂in dìˑn -dini [hj] dìn -dino [hj]
view *sumin sumín sumi
wet *gimin kimín kimín kiˈminkimina ~ kimi
*-n/uⁱ_ ø n ni
smoke *suⁱn -sūˑ -sũì -sín -sini
*-n/u_ n n n nu na nu
banana *[k/g][o̝/u]n kun kunu ~ kuna ˈkunu
*-n/e̝_ n n n n na ni
name *ne̝ne̝n nēnēn ninín nenén ninín ninin ~ nininaniˈnini
*-n/o̝_ n n n nu na ø nu
garden *so̝n sòˑn son sunu ~suna~su
mosquito *ge̝so̝n kisinu [hj]kesón kisunu
night *gaɸo̝n kāˈɸòn kàˈɸón kaɸon ~ kaɸúnkɑɸun kaɸu ~ kaɸunu kɑɸunu
*-n/ɛ_ n n n ne
pitpit *sumɛn sumɛn sumɛnɛ
tongue *go̝mɛn kˈōˑmɛ̄n kɔ̄mɛ́n komɛ́n kuˈmén koˈmene
*-n/ɔ_ n n n nɔ na ø no
thing *[k/g]ɔn kɔ̄n kɔnɔ ~kona ~ko
pig *gɔn kɔ̀n kono
*-n/a_ n n n na ø ø
theft *dan tan -tana ~ -ta
one *sagan sakán sɑˈkɑnsakana ~ saka sɑkɑ

Final /*t/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
*-t/e̝_
taro *ɸe̝t fir̃ ɸér fiɾ
knife *ɸe̝t ɸer- ɸiɾ- ɸiri ~ ɸira ɸiɾi
yesterday/tom. *t[e̝/a]t dǎɾē dǎr̃ hēɾ hiɾ hira ~ hiri-ˈhiɾi
three *se̝t sèˑɾē sɛ̀ⁱr̃ sēr siɾ sir ~ siri siɾi
back *gimit kīˈmīɾɩ kiˈmiɾi
*-t/aᵘ_
back *[k/g]aᵘt kəur kɑˈwurkɔuru
*-t/ɛ_
chin *-mɛt -mɛ̄ɾɛ -mɛ́r -mer
*-t/ɔ_
wing *ɔt ɔ̄ˑɾɔ̀ ɔ̄r̃ ɔr ɔrɔ oɾo
hair/leaf/feather*bɔt -bɔ̄ɾɔ̄ ~ -bɔ̄ɾ-bór ~ -bɔ̄r̃-bɔ̀r -bor -bɔrɔ ~ -bɔr-ˈboɾo
six (?) *se̝-bɔt sè-bɔ̀r
sky *nɔt ˈnɔ́ˑɾɔ̄ nɔ́r noɾ noro
bean *d₂ugɔt dūkɔ̀ duˈkɔ̄ː̀ dukɔr dukoɾ
*-t/a_ r ɾ rɛ ra ɾe
branch *mat -maˑɾ mar marɛ ~ mara
snake *tat hār hɑɾ harɛ ˈhɑɾe

Final /*b/ is lenited to [β] …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*-b/u_ β β βu βa
liver *ub ūwū ~ ūβū úβ ùβ uβu ~ uβa
*-b/e̝_ β β β βi βa βi
hot *e̝b ˈēβè êβ éβ iβi ~ iβa iβi
*-b/a_
head *mab ˈmàˑβō mɑβ màβ mɑβ maβɔ ~ maβamɑβo
bone *tab dāˑwɔ̄ ~ ˈdɑ̄βɔdɑβ háβ hɑβ haβɔ ~ haβaˈhɑβɔ
go up *d₂ab- daβ ~ daβɔ daβɔ
yam *gɛsab kēsāβɔ kèˈsáβ kesɑβ
rain/snake*gab kāβɔ́ kɑwó kap [kf] kavo [kf]

When final /*b/ occurs in the first member of a compound, Mouwase unexpectedly reflects it as /h/, joining the reflex of Omati River initial /*t/ (above):



Final /*ɸ/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*-ɸ/i_ ɸ ? ?ɸi ɸi [ɸ f]
long *sɔ-diɸ sɔ̄-tīf so-tiɸ sɔ-tiɸi ˈsoː-tifi
claw *giɸ kíːɸ ˈkìɸi
*-ɸ/u_
index finger/4*duɸ tufu [hj]-tùɸ tufu ~ tufi [hj]

Final /*s/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
*-s/i_ s s s si
meat/flesh *mis mīs mǐs mīs mis misi
*-s/u_ s su
weep/cry *tus us- hus(u)- ~ us-
*-s/ɛ_ s s ssɛ sa se
woman *bɛs bɛ̄ ́sɛʔ bɛ̄s bes bɛsɛ ~ bɛsa ˈbese
*-s/ɔ_ s s s
spittle/saliva*tɔs ɔs hɔsɔ
netbag *gabɔs kāβɔ́s kàˈwɔ́s kaβɔs kɑβoskaβɔsɔ kɑβɔsɔ
*-s/a_ s s ssɛ sa se
dog *gas kàˑs kɑs kās kɑs kasɛ ~ kasa kɑse

Like Rumu (q.v. Petterson 1992,) Proto-Omati River distinguished seven vowels, /*i *u *e̝ *o̝ *ɛ *ɔ *a/.

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

Omati River Barikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*i i i i i i i
tree/fire *i ìː ~ ìˑ î ~ í- ìː i i
2 sg. *i i i- i i-
dual *-ti -ɾi -rí -ɾi -ri -ɾi
house *min mìn ~ minìmîn mīn min mini ~ mina mini
meat/flesh *mis mīs mǐs mīs mis misi
lie down/sleep *bis- bis- bis- bis- bis- bisi- bis-
long *-diɸ -tīf -tiɸ -tiɸi -tifi
body *d₂in dìˑn -dini [hj] dìn -dino [sic] [hj]
claw *giɸ kíːɸ ˈkìɸi
eye *isĩ si isi isi
dirt *[k/g]imi kimì kimi
wet *gimin kimín kimín kiˈmin kimina ~ kimi
back *gimit kīˈmīɾɩ kiˈmiɾi
sand *gigi[n] kíkín kiki
sweat *ɸisu ɸisu
path *d₂igɛ dikɛ́ ˈdike dikɛ ˈdike
crocodile *sib₂ita sibirá sibira
cassowary *sigina sīkīna sikinɑ́ sikinà sigiˈnɑ sikina sikiˈnɑ
father's sister*sigase̝ sikasè sikasi
bird's tail *dumi tūˈmì tumi tumi
kina shell *[k/g]usi(-mat) kusí(-mar) kusi-marɛ
short *guɸi kōɸɨ̄i kūɸi kuˈɸi kuɸi kufi
view *sumin sumín sumi
star *guⁱni ˈkūnˑìˑ kúˈnìː sin-kwinkuini kʷini
fall *d₂ɔɸi dɔɸi dɔɸi
ear *gɔbi kɔ́βī kóβi kɔβi ˈkoβi kɔβi
heavy *d₂abi dāβí dɑ́βí dɑβí
new *gasi kāsì kâsî kɑˈsí kɛsi keˈsi
moon *wasiba ˈwáːsīβā wáːsiβàː βasiβà wɑsiβa
fly (n.) *b[u]mani bumani [hj] bumeni [hj]
rat/mouse *gaⁱɸati kɨ̄iɸàɾi ˈkɑiɸaɾi kɑiɸaˈɾikɛiɸari keiˈɸaɾi

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

Omati River Barikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*u u u u u u u
liver *ub ūwū ~ ūβū úβ ùβ uβu ~ uβa
after/behind *d₂u du
dry *gu ku ku
nose/point *ju -ju
weep/cry *tus us- hus(u)- ~ us-
fireplace *d₂um dúm duma dumu
index finger/4 *duɸ tufu [hj] -tùɸ tufu ~ tufi [hj]
cut up *[k/g]usu kusu kukusu
bird's tail *dumi tū'mì tumi tumi
kina shell *[k/g]usi(-mat) kusí(-mar) kusi-marɛ
short *guɸi kōɸɨ̄i (?)kūɸi kuˈɸi kuɸi kufi
view *sumin sumín sumi
pitpit *sumɛn sumɛn sumɛnɛ
flying fox *gub₂ɛi kūbèi kúbɛ̀i kubei kubei
bean *d₂ugɔt dūkɔ̀ duˈkɔ̄ː̀ dukɔr dukoɾ
louse *gutɔm kūɾɔ̄n kūɾɔ́n kuˈɾom kuɾomo
navel *dum[a] tuma [hj] tuma [hs]
bandicoot *suma sūmā sumá suma
share *d₂uba duβa duβa
wind *Vbubu āβūβū āβúβū iβuβu ˈiβuβu
knee *magu mɑ̄ˑkúˑ mɑ̀kú mɑˈku
tooth *magu -mākū -mɑ̄kù
friend/relative*naɸ[u] nafu [hj] nafu [hs]
elbow *-dagu -tākù -tɑ́kà (?) -tɑˈku -tuku -tuku
spear *wasum wɑsum βɔsumu wɑsumo
vine *jabu jɑ́βú iɑβu rɔβu ɾoβu
big *magaᵘbu makuwu mɑ̀kuβu makauβu mɑˈkuβu makuβu mɑkuβu

High mid front vowel /*e̝/ is often heard as high front [i] Barikewa and Kaser and has merged with /i/ in Mouwase:

Omati River Barikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
*e̝ e̝ [e i]e e̝ [e i]i i
hot *e̝b ˈēβè êβ éβ iβi ~ iβa iβi
hand/arm *se̝ sē ~ sɩˑ-si ~ sé si si si
water *wẽ̝ wēː we ~ ué
speech *me̝n mèn min mini ~mina ~mi
come *be̝n- bēn- bi- ben- bi- bi(n)- ~ bɛ- bi-
knife *ɸe̝t ɸer- ɸiɾ- ɸiri ~ ɸira ɸiɾi
three *se̝t sèˑɾē sɛ̀ⁱr̃ sēr siɾ sir ~ siri siɾi
cold *ge̝be̝ kēβè kíβi keβè kiβi kiβi kiβi
name *ne̝ne̝n nēnēn ninín nenén ninín ninin ~ nininaniˈnini
mosquito *ge̝so̝n kisinu [hj] kesón kisunu
rain *go̝te̝ kōɾē kóɾé kore kuɾí kuɾi
small *kɔse̝(-me̝)sī-mbīʔ sī-mí kɔse(-me)ˈkos-mi
knowledge *tane̝ danē dɑní-
die *gase̝- kàse- kase- kas- kɑsi- kasi- kɑsi-
father's sister*sigase̝ sikasè sikasi

High mid back vowel /*o̝/ is often heard as high back [u] in Barikewa and Kaser and has merged with /u/ in Mouwase:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
*o̝ o [o u]o o̝ [o u]u u
cloud *mo̝ mòˑ mõ̂ -mō -mu
breast *sõ̝ sóˑ su su su su
mouth *ko̝ ō- ~ ōˑ- u- ~ ˈôː- kò- ku- ku- ku-
ear *go̝ ko ku-ku
garden *so̝n sòˑn son sunu ~suna~su
tobacco *so̝go̝ sūkú sókóː sokó suku suku
corpse *[k/g]o̝bo̝ koβo kuβu
rain *go̝te̝ kōɾē kóɾé kore kuɾí kuɾi
mosquito*ge̝so̝n kisinu [hj]kesón kisunu

When /*o̝/ follows low central /*a/ in a previous syllable, Petterson gives Kaser /u/ alongside /o/:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*o̝ o [o u]o [o u] o̝ [o u]u u
heart*gamo̝ kāˑmò kɑ́mò kamù ~ -kamo ˈkɑmu kamu ˈkɑmu
night*gaɸo̝n kāˈɸòn kàˈɸón kaɸon ~ kaɸúnkɑɸun kaɸu ~ kaɸunukɑɸunu

When /*o̝/ is followed by a low mid vowel /*ɛ *ɔ/ in the next syllable, it is retained as such in Kaser and lowered to low mid /ɔ/ in Barikewa and Mouwase:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr PettersonCarr
*o̝/_Cɛ ɔ o o̝ [u] ɔ [o]
tongue*go̝mɛn kˈōˑmɛ̄n kɔ̄mɛ́n komɛ́n kuˈmén koˈmene
person*go̝bɛ koβɛ ~ kɔβɛkɔ̀βɛ́ kɔβɛ́ ~ koβɛkoβe ~ kuβe
*o̝/_Cɔ ɔ [o]o o̝ [u] ɔ
neck *bo̝gɔ ˈboko bokɔ̀ buˈko bɔkɔ

… /o̝/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*… o̝ [u]o o̝ [u]ɔ ɔ [o]
see *do̝- tōˑ- tu- to- tu- tɔ- to-
hear*[k/g]o̝- ko- ku- kɔ - ko-

Low mid front vowel /*ɛ/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
ɛ [ɛ e]ɛ ɛ [ɛ e]ɛ ɛ [ɛ e]
this/here *ɛn ɛn en ɛni ~ ɛn- ˈenɑ
plural *-mɛ -mɛ̀ -me -mɛ
turn over *bɛ- bɛ- bɛ-
ergative *-nɛ -nɛ -nɛ
hit/beat/kill *dɛ- tɛ̄- te- tɛ- te-
woman *bɛs bɛ̄ ́sɛʔ bɛ̄s bes bɛsɛ ~ bɛsaˈbese
wallaby *tɛb₂ɛtɛ tɛ̀bɛrɛ ˈtebeɾe tɛbɛrɛ ˈtebeɾe
tusk *gɛsɛga kēsēkɑ̄ késéˈkâ kisⁱˈkɑ (?)kɛsɛka ˈkesekɑ́
yam *gɛsab kēsāβɔ kèˈsáβ kesɑβ
when? *bɛsanɛ bɛ̄sànᵊ bɛ̄sánɛ̄n bɛsanɛ̂ biˈsɑne
path *d₂igɛ dikɛ́ ˈdike dikɛ ˈdike
pitpit *sumɛn sumɛn sumɛnɛ
light (weight)*[ɔ]ɸɛ ɛ̄fɛ́ ɛɸɛ́ ɛɸɛ́ eɸe ɔɸe
person *go̝bɛ koβɛ ~ kɔβɛkɔ̀βɛ́ kɔβɛ́ ~ koβɛkoβe ~ kuβe
tongue *go̝mɛn kˈōˑmɛ̄n kɔ̄mɛ́n komɛ́n kuˈmén koˈmene
chin *-mɛt -mɛ̄ɾɛ -mɛ́r -mer
again *mɔdɛ mɔtɛrî mɔtɛ
frog *sɔbɛ sūβɛ́ sɔ̀wɛ́ sɔβɛ́ soβe
lung(s) *kɔsɛ ˈkuse kɔsɛ kose
dove *b[a/ɔ]tɛ bɔ́rɛ̀ -barɛ
3 pl. *amɛ ʔamɛ̀ ɑˈme- amɛ
older sibling *adɛ āɾè ɑ́ɾe atè (?) ɑte atɛ ˈɑte
on/at *manɛ manɛ manɛ
egg *damɛ tāmē támɛ́ tamɛ̀ tɑme

In several examples in which Mouwase has /ɛ/ following /a/ in a previous syllable, Barikewa and Kaser reflect /*ɛ/ as /a/. This is not exceptionless (cf. /*damɛ/ above) and the factors which govern this change are unkown:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*ɛ₂ a a a [ɑ]ɛ ɛ [e]
afternoon*samɛ₂ sāmə̀ sāmá samá sɑmɑ samɛ sɑme
soft *datamɛ₂ taramà taramɛ

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

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
ɔ [ɔ o] ɔ ɔ [ɔ o]ɔ ɔ [ɔ o]
wing *ɔt ɔ̄ˑɾɔ̀ ɔ̄r̃ ɔr ɔrɔ oɾo
give *ɔt- ɔ̄rɔ̄- ɔrɔ- or-
but *mɔ -mɔ
indicative *-bɔ -βɔ ~ -wɔ -wo ~ -βo ~ -βɔ
mouth *-bɔ -bɔ̄ -bɔ -bo
lime *d₂ɔ do [hj] do [hs] do [hj]
long *sɔ sɔ̄- so- sɔ̀ so ˈsoː-
hair/leaf/feather*bɔt -bɔ̄ɾɔ̄ ~ -bɔ̄ɾ-bór ~ -bɔ̄r̃ -bɔ̀r -bor -bɔrɔ ~ -bɔr -ˈboɾo
sky *nɔt ˈnɔ́ˑɾɔ̄ nɔ́r noɾ noro
spittle/saliva *tɔs ɔs hɔsɔ
thing *[k/g]ɔn kɔ̄n kɔnɔ ~kona ~ko
pig *gɔn kɔ̀n kon kono
people *wɔm wɔ̄n wɔn βɔ́m wom βɔm ˈwomo
make *d₂ɔ-d₂ɔ dɔdɔ̀ dɔdɔ
fall *d₂ɔɸi dɔɸi dɔɸi
ear *gɔbi kɔ́βī kóβi kɔβi ˈkoβi kɔβi
again *mɔdɛ mɔtɛrî mɔtɛ
frog *sɔbɛ sūβɛ́ sɔ̀wɛ́ sɔβɛ́ soβe
lung(s) *kɔsɛ ˈkuse kɔsɛ kose
saliva/spittle *gɔs[ɛ] kose [hj]
louse *gutɔm kūɾɔ̄n kūɾɔ́n kuˈɾom kuɾomo
six (?) *se̝-bɔt sè-bɔ̀r
neck *bo̝gɔ ˈboko bokɔ̀ buˈko bɔkɔ
finish *ɸ[ɛ]tɔ ɸɔrɔ́- ɸɛrɔ
earth/ground *sabɔ sāˈβɔ̀ sɑ̄βó saβɔ́ sɑˈβo
good *d₂atɔ dàɾɔ̀ dɑɾo darɔ̀ ˈdɑɾo daɾɔ ˈdɑɾo
netbag *gabɔs kāβɔ́s kàˈwɔ́s kaβɔs kɑβos kaβɔsɔ kɑβɔsɔ

Low central vowel /*a/ is generally retained as such in all descendants, unless followed by high vowels /*i *u/ (below):

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*a a a a a a a
who? *ma màˑ- mâˑ maː
thumb *-ma -mā -ma -mà -mɑ -ma -mɑ
bow *ma ma
what? *ba baː
1 pl. *na ná- na- nɑ- na nɑ-
eat/drink *na- nɔ̄- (?) nɑ- nə- ~ na- nɑ- na- nɑ-
2 pl. *ja já- ˈjɑ- ra ɾɑ-
head *mab ˈmàˑβō mɑβ màβ mɑβ maβɔ ~ maβa mɑβo
branch *mat -maˑɾ mar marɛ ~ mara
bone *tab dāˑwɔ̄ ~ ˈdɑ̄βɔ dɑβ háβ hɑβ haβɔ ~ haβa ˈhɑβɔ
snake *tat hār hɑɾ harɛ ˈhɑɾe
sago *d₂am dám damɔ ~ da
go up *d₂ab- daβ ~ daβɔ daβɔ
theft *dan tan -tana ~ -ta
fat/grease *sam sàˑn sān sɑm sama sɑmo
stone/rock *kam āmò ɑ́mò kām kɑm ka ~ kama ˈkɑmo
rain/snake *gab kāβɔ́ kɑwó kap [kf] kavo [kf]
dog *gas kàˑs kɑs kās kɑs kasɛ ~ kasa kɑse
chest *ɸaga ɸāˈkà ɸakà ɸaka
yellow *jaja jǣjā jèjá jijɑ ˈɾɑɾɑ
grass *tasan asan hasana
one *sagan sakán sɑˈkɑn sakana ~ sakasɑkɑ
old man *magaⁱ mākɨ̀i ~ mɑ̄kɨ̀iˈmɑkəi makə̀i mɑˈkəi makɛi mɑkei
big *magaᵘbu makuwu mɑ̀kuβu makauβu mɑˈkuβu makuβu mɑkuβu
knowledge *tane̝ danē dɑní-
die *gase̝- kàse- kase- kas- kɑsi- kasi- kɑsi-
heart *gamo̝ kāˑmò kɑ́mò kamù ~ -kamo ˈkɑmu kamu ˈkɑmu
night *gaɸo̝n kāˈɸòn kàˈɸón kaɸon ~ kaɸúnkɑɸun kaɸu ~ kaɸunukɑɸunu
3 pl. *amɛ ʔamɛ̀ ɑˈme- amɛ
older sibling *adɛ āɾè ɑ́ɾe atè ɑte atɛ ˈɑte
on/at *manɛ manɛ manɛ
egg *damɛ tāmē támɛ́ tamɛ̀ tɑme
afternoon *samɛ₂ sāmə̀ sāmá samá sɑmɑ samɛ sɑme
soft *datamɛ₂ taramà taramɛ
good *d₂atɔ dàɾɔ̀ dɑɾo darɔ̀ ˈdɑɾo daɾɔ ˈdɑɾo
earth/ground *sabɔ sāˈβɔ̀ sɑ̄βó saβɔ́ sɑˈβo
netbag *gabɔs kāβɔ́s kàˈwɔ́s kaβɔs kɑβos kaβɔsɔ kɑβɔsɔ
father's sister*sigase̝ sikasè sikasi
crocodile *sib₂ita sibirá sibira
cassowary *sigina sīkīna sikinɑ́ sikinà sigiˈnɑ sikina sikiˈnɑ
bandicoot *suma sūmā sumá suma
share *d₂uba duβa duβa
yam *gɛsab kēsāβɔ kèˈsáβ kesɑβ
when? *bɛsanɛ bɛ̄sànᵊ bɛ̄sánɛ̄nbɛsanɛ̂ biˈsɑne
tusk *gɛsɛga kēsēkɑ̄ késéˈkâ kisⁱˈkɑ kɛsɛka ˈkesekɑ́

Mouwase raises and fronts /*a/ to low mid /ɛ/ when followed by high front /*i/ in the next syllable:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr Petterson Carr PettersonCarr
*a/_Ci a [a ɑ]a [a ə]a [ɑ]ɛ ɛ [e]
1 dl. *na-ti ná-ɾí nə-rí nɑ-ˈɾi nɛ-ri
3 dl. *a-ti á-ɾì
sit *gati- koɾí- (?) kəri- kɑˈɾi- kɛri- ˈkeɾi-
heavy *d₂abi dāβí dɑ́βí dɑβí
new *gasi kāsì kâsî kɑˈsí kɛsi keˈsi
2 dl. *ja-ti já-ɾí jɑ-ɾi
white *sabia sēβà séβàː saβia sɑβiɑ́ sɛβɛa seβeɑ
moon *wasiba ˈwáːsīβā wáːsiβàː βasiβà wɑsiβa
fly (n.)*b[u]mani bumani [hj] bumeni [hj]

There is one unexplained exception:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*a/_Ci a a a a a
rat/mouse*gaⁱɸati kɨ̄iɸàɾi ˈkɑiɸaɾi kɑiɸaˈɾikɛiɸari keiˈɸaɾi

Mouwase raises and backs /*a/ to low back /ɔ/ when followed by high back /*u/ in the next syllable:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*a/_Cu a [ɑ] a [ɑ]ɔ ɔ [o]
knee *magu mɑ̄ˑkúˑ mɑ̀kú mɑˈku
tooth*magu -mākū -mɑ̄kù
spear*wasum wɑsum βɔsumu wɑsumo (?)
vine *jabu jɑ́βú iɑβu rɔβu ɾoβu

In one example, Mouwase raises /*a/ followed by /*u/ to /u/, probably because it is destressed in a compound:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*a/_Cu a a [ɑ] a [ɑ]u u
elbow*-dagu -tākù -tɑ́kà -tɑˈku -tuku -tuku

… vowel sequences and diphthongs ….

…/*ɛⁱ/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*ɛⁱ
path*dɛⁱ tíː rei [kf]

… /*aⁱ/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr Petterson Carr PettersonCarr
*aⁱ/g_ aⁱ [əi ɑi]aⁱ [əi ]aⁱ [əi ɑi]ɛⁱ ɛⁱ [ei]
blood *gaⁱ kɨ̄í kəi kə́i kəi kɛi kei
*gaⁱ káe kai kɑi
rat/mouse*gaⁱɸati kɨ̄iɸàɾi ˈkɑiɸaɾi kɑiɸaˈɾi kɛiɸari keiˈɸaɾi
old man *magaⁱ mākɨ̀i ~ mɑ̄kɨ̀iˈmɑkəi makə̀i mɑˈkəi makɛi mɑkei

… /*aⁱ/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*aⁱ/m_ ɔⁱ [oi]aⁱ [əi ai]aⁱ [ɨi]ɔⁱ [ɔi/ɛi]ɔⁱ [oi əi]
fish*maⁱ mɨ̄i ˈmoï mə̀i mɨ̃i mɔi; mɛi məi
not *maⁱ mai ~ mə̄i məi- mɔi moia
sap *baⁱ bəi

… /aᵘ/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*aᵘ aᵘ aᵘ [əu au]aᵘ [əu u]ɔᵘ [ɔu u]ɔᵘ [ou u]
canoe *t₂aᵘ hə̄u həu hɔu
pandanus sp.*d₂aᵘ də́u dɔu-
tail *gaᵘ kə̀u kəu kɔu kou
child *baᵘm baum ~ bə́um bɑun- ~ -bom bumu ~ buma bon- ~ -bumo
egg *daᵘm -tə́um tɔumu ~ tɔu toumu
back *[k/g]aᵘt kəur kɑˈwur kɔuru
big *magaᵘbu makuwu mɑ̀kuβu makauβu mɑˈkuβu makuβu mɑkuβu

In one example …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*aᵘ/m_ u uɔᵘ ɔᵘ [ou]
water*maᵘ mu mɔu mou

… /*aᵋ/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*aᵋ aᵋ aᵋ aᵋ aᵋaᵋ aᵋ
3 sg. *aᵋ ɑi- ɑe-
palm/sole *baᵋ -pāɛ́ -bai [hj]-bàɛ -paɛ -pɑe
break *baᵋ- bəɛ baɛ ~ bai (?)
areca nut *ɸaᵋ ɸāē
day *ɸaᵋ ɸàɛ ɸaɛ
banana *naᵋ nàē náɛ̀ nɛ̀ ne
fruit/seed*taᵋ dàē haɛ ~ hã́ɛ haɛ hɑe
two *taᵋ hã̄ɛ ~ haɛhɑ̃ẽ haɛ
foot/leg *tãᵋ dāé dae hâɛ hɑ̃i haɛ hɑe
bird *gaᵋ káɛ kɑe kaɛ kɑe
seedling *wãᵋ wáɛ wə̃ĩ βai ~ -βaɛ

…:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*…
base/root*t… daūwī dāᵘí hɛⁱ hɛ́i ~ həihɛi hei

… /*uⁱ/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
*uⁱ uⁱ [u]uⁱ [ui wi]uⁱ [wi]uⁱ [ui]uⁱ [wi]
top *[k/g]uⁱ kui kui
song/dance*guⁱn ˈkwiìːn- kuīn kuin- kʷi-
star *guⁱni ˈkūnˑìˑ kúˈnìː sin-kwin kuini kʷini

…:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*uⁱ uⁱ [ui] i i
smoke*suⁱn -sūˑ -sũì -sín -sini

… /*ia/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*ia

… /*ui/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*ui

… /*ua/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*ua

… /*o̝a/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*o̝a [wa] [wa]oa oa [oɑ wa]ɔa ɔa [oɑ]
laugh*ko̝a wāː wa:- koa- koɑ- ~ kwɑ- kɔa- ˈkoɑ-

… /*ɛɔ/ …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr Petterson Carr
*ɛɔ
morning*[k/g]ɛɔm kiɔ̀m kjom kɛo ~ kɛomakeou ~ ˈkeoma

In one example …:

Omati RiverBarikiwa Barikewa Kaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Petterson Carr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*… ɛCɔ [eCo]iɔC iɔC [joC]Cɔa Cɔa [Coɑ]
sun*ɛsɔa ˈíˈsūː ~ ɩsuwuésóò iɔs jos sɔa ˈsoɑ

…:

Omati RiverBarikiwa BarikewaKaser KaserMouwase Mowase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
*…
*…

Pronouns

[under construction]

Free pronouns are reconstructed as follows, with attestations drawn from Carr (2006) and Petterson (2011, 2014):

Omati RiverBarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mowase
Carr Petterson Carr Petterson Carr
1 sg. *[i/e̝]n ʔĕn in-â ~ n-ain-ɑ ina ~ ini ini
2 sg. *i(-a) â i i-ɑ i(-a) i-ɑ
3 sg. *aᵋ(-a) ɑi-ɑ ɑe-ɑ
1 pl. *na(-mɛ) ná-mɛ̀ na-ne nɑ-nⁱ na(-na) nɑ-nɑ
2 pl. *ja(-mɛ) já-mɛ̀ ˈjɑ-nɑ ra(-na) ɾɑ-nɑ
3 pl. *a-mɛ ʔamɛ̀ ɑˈme-nɑ amɛ(-na)
1 dl. *na-ti ná-ɾí nə-rí nɑ-ˈɾi nɛ-ri
1 dl. incl.nira niɾɑ
2 dl. *ja-ti já-ɾí jɑ-ɾi ri-ra ~ ri-riˈɾi-ɾɑ
3 dl. *a-ti á-ɾì ɑˈme-nɑ-ɾieβi-ri eβi-ɾɑ

(n.b. Carr's [ɾɑ-nɑ] is given as 3 pl.)

A number of example sentences in Carr's survey list show Barikewa and Kaser to distinguish two forms of the third person singular which appear to indicate the absolutive and ergative respectively (no examples involving other persons/numbers were given.)

Verbal morphology

[under construction]

Loans from neighboring languages

[under construction]

Loans from Foiafoia …:

FoiafoiaBarikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mouwase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
wallaby tebeɾe tɛ̀bɛrɛ ˈtebeɾetɛbɛrɛ ˈtebeɾe
path dige dikɛ́ ˈdike dikɛ ˈdike
good daɾo dàɾɔ̀ dɑɾo darɔ̀ ˈdɑɾo daɾɔ ˈdɑɾo
bean dukoɾo dūkɔ̀ duˈkɔ̄ː̀dukɔr dukoɾ
flying foxkubiai kūbèi kúbɛ̀i kubei kubei

Loans from Kiwai …:

Kiwai Barikiwa BarikewaKaser Kaser Mouwase Mouwase
PettersonCarr PettersonCarr PettersonCarr
all *… aūwāhā ˈaúwāhàˑ ɑwehɑ̃ ˈɑwohɑ
crocodile*sibiɾa sibirá sibira
many *siɾio ˈhìɾɔ̀ hirio ˈhiɾio