Asmat-Kamoro

Timothy Usher, Santa Fe Institute

Situation

The Asmat-Kamoro family consists of six languages spoken along the nearly the entirety of the southwestern coastal lowlands of New Guinea, from the southwest shore of Etna Bay in the northwest to just north of Kolopom island in the southeast.

Sources

Modera (1830) variety of Kamoro (unobtained)

Miklucho-Maclay (1876) variety of Kamoro (unobtained)

Robidé van der Aa (1879) Lakahia variety of Kamoro (unobtained)

van der Sande (1907) vocabularies of Nagramadu, Angádi and Goreda varieties of Kamoro

Dumas (1911) 435 terms for Mimika and Atuka rivers variety of Kamoro

Ray (1912: 326-330) comparative study of Angadi-Mimika (Kamoro) dialects, including Robidé van der Aa's Lakahia and van der Sande's Angádi, Nagramadu and Goreda as well as Utanata River, Mimika, Kupera Pukwa and Kiruru varieties of Kamoro

Feuilletau de Bruijn (1913) Kaja-kaja variety of Asmat (unobtained)

Feuilletau de Bruijn (1915) Kaja-kaja variety of Asmat (unobtained)

Drabbe (1950) unpublished comparative vocabularies of Kamoro, Sempan and Asmat

Boelaars (1950: 90-102) English-language recension of Drabbe's then-unpublished grammar of Tarjà Kàmoro

Drabbe (1953) grammar of Tarjà Kàmoro, comparison of Kamoro dialects and (pp. 96-104) 378 comparative terms for Kàmoro, Sémpan and Asmat

Drabbe (1954: 232-255) 100 comparative terms for Kàmoro, Sémpan and Kawenak (Central Asmat)t

Drabbe (1958) grammar of Keenok (Central Asmat) of Amor village

Drabbe (n.d.) dictionary of Keenok (Central Asmat) of Amor village

Drabbe (1959) grammar of Kawenak (Central Asmat) (unobtained)

Drabbe (1959) dictionary of Kawenak (Central Asmat) (unobtained)

Drabbe (1963) study of Asmat dialects and (pp. 212-233) 377 comparative terms for Kawenak, Keenok and Keenakap varieties of Central Asmat, Kaünak (Citak) and Kaweinag (Casuarina Coast)

Drabbe (n.d.) dictionary of Kàmoro (unobtained)

Drabbe (n.d.) dictionary of Sémpan (unobtained)

Galis (1955) 16 comparative terms and numbers drawn from the preceding literature

Voorhoeve (1965) dictionary and grammar of Flamingo Bay variety (Surú village) of Kawenak (Central) Asmat

Voorhoeve (1975: 369-374) general description of member languages based primarily upon Drabbe (1953, 1963)

Voorhoeve (1980) survey of Asmat dialects and (pp. 61-121) 455 reconstructed terms for Proto-Asmat, including supporting forms from Kamoro and Sempan drawn from Drabbe (1953)

Voorhoeve (2005: 148-149, 152-154, 158-164) Proto-Asmat-Kamoro correspondences and (unexempified) reconstructions

Roesler (1972) phonology of Asmat of Ajam (unobtained)

Roesler and Roesler (2011) dictionary of Asmat (Kawenak) of Ayam village

Bromley (1973) orthography of Citak (unobtained)

Bromley (1975) orthography of Citak (unobtained)

van Arsdale (1974: 31-32) 66 comparative terms for Awok (Keenakap,) Wooi-Karmbis, Jinak (Tamnim,) Brazza and Upper Eilanden (Citak)

Peckham (1991:160-166) 208 comparative terms for Nanesa (Etna Bay) Kamoro

Lebold, Kriens and Susanto (2013) 239 comaprative terms for Central Asmat (Kawenak) of Isyaman village

Subclassification

Asmat-Kamoro

Kamoro-Sempan

Kamoro

Sempan

Asmat

Casuarina Coast Asmat

Citak Asmat

North Asmat

Central Asmat

The Kamoro-Sempan node is too shallow to merit a reconstruction of its own. The Asmat-Kamoro languages can also be viewed as a chain from Kamoro in the northwest to Asmat in the southeast.

Historical phonology

[under construction]

Proto-Asmat-Kamoro had 11 consonants and probably 5 vowels as follows:

*m *n
*p *t *c *k
*f *s
*w *r *j
*i *u
*e *o
*a

This is mostly identical to the system presented in Voorhoeve (1980: 53) for Proto-Asmat.

Apical non-stop /*r/ does not occur initially.

Consonant clusters do not occur within roots.

Initial consonants correspond as follows:

Asm-Kam Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*m- m m *m *m
*n- n n *n *n
*p- p p *p *p
*t- k t *t *t
*t-/_i k t *c *T
*c- k t *c *T
*k- ø ø *k *k
*k-/verbs k k *k *k
*f- ø w f *f *f
*s- t h *s *s
*w- w w *w *w
*w-/kin ø w *w *w
*j- j j *j *j
*j-/_i u ø ø *j *j

Medial consonants correspond as follows:

Asm-Kam Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-m- m m *m *m
*-n- n n *n *n
*-n-/_V# n r n *n *n
*-p- p p *p *p
*-t- k t *t *t
*-t-/_i u e k t *c *T
*-c- k t *c *T
*-k- k k *k *k
*-k-/… ø k *k *k
*-f- ø f ø *f *f *w *ø
*-F- ø f ø *F *f
*-s- t h *s *s
*-s-/f s_ t ø *s *s
*-w- ø w *w *w
*-w-/… ø ø *w *w
*-r- r r *r *r
*-j- j j *j *j

Vowels and vowel sequences correspond as follows:

Asm-Kam Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*i i i *i *i
*u u i *i *i
*u/#_ u ju i *ju *ju
*e e e *e *e
*o o o *o *o
*a a a *a *a
*iu u u *iu *iu
*ui i i *ui *ui

These correspondences are exemplified as follows, with Kamoro and Sempan forms mostly drawn from Drabbe (1953: 96-104.) Forms drawm from Voorhoeve (1980: 61-121, 2007) are indicated by [CV]. The reconstruction presented here is based substantially upon Voorhoeve's (1980) Proto-Asmat in consultation with Drabbe (1963: 212-233,) and most of the comparisons below appear in one form or another therein. However our reconstructions of Proto-Asmat differ in some details, and Kamoro and Sempan comparisons have not hitherto been laid out completely and in a phonologically-driven manner, while comparisons involving only Kamoro and Sempan haven't hitherto been presented.


Any consonant can occur initially except for apical non-stop /*r/.

Initial bilabial nasal /*m/ is retained as such in all three subgroups:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*m- m m *m *m
nose *mi ˈmi-rimu mi-maˈkɛ *mi(-emaek)*mi(-mak)
milk *mi -mi/td> -mi/td>
beneath *mimane 'mimarə 'mimanə
mucus *mini miˈni
thought *minipV mipi mipo (?) *minipV *minip
python *minewe menewe [CV] *min[i]w *miniw
ghost sp. *miwi mii *miwi *miwi
husband *miwisi miwihi [CV] *miwisi *-miwis(i)
tail *m[i/e]p[i/e]ˈmipi ˈmɛpə *mep[e] *mepe(-mak)
thumb *m[i/u]-tewu ˈmitiwi *mitiwitV *mitit
mouth *mea[f] mwɛ (?) meˈa *mea[f] *mea
armband sp. *metane makare [CV] metane [CV} *metane *metan(e)
termite sp. *mese meˈhɛ *mes[e] *mes(e)
saliva *mesa[p/f]u maˈtaɔ ˈmahapi *masapi *masap
tip/point *m[e/a]n[e] -mare *m[e/a]n[e]*aw men(e)
back *maeke mekə *maeke *ma(e)ke
lightning *mVro ma'ra-pəta maarɔ *… *(masa-)maro
vomit *m[a]o 'maɔ mɔ mɔ- *m[a]o- *mo-
hand/arm *mafane ˈmaarə ˈmafanə *mafane *mafane,
*mane
orphan *manima ma'nima-rə 'manima- *man[i]ma *manema
eye *mana ma-me ma'nakə *mana *mana(-ka)
path *mato mako [CV] moto [CV] *mato *matot
cry/weep *mace makə makə- matə matə- *mace mace-*maTi maTi-
knowledge *mas[a/o]mo 'matamɔ 'mahamɔ *mas[o]m[o]*masom(o)
wasp sp. *m[a]ko moko [CV] *mako *mako
Venus *mawor[a] *mawor[a] *ma(i)wor
foot/leg *mawu maw maˈwi *mawi *maji ~ *mawi
star *mawuto ˈmaakɔ ˈmawətɔ *mawito *mawito
day *mare mara-tja [CV] mare [CV] *mar[e]- *mar(e)
tail feather(s)*m[a/o]to -makɔ mɔ'tɔ ~ -mɔkɔ*-mot[o]
trunk/nase *mopane mapare [CV] mopane [CV] *mopane *mopane
sugarcane *monefV mɔne
tie/fasten *mot[e/a]- mɔke- mota- [CV] *motV- *mot-
not/none *muna -ˈmuna -ˈmɔna (?) *.mina. *min(a)
war *mo[t/c]ane ˈmɔkarə ˈmatanə
chop down *mo- ˈmɔ- ˈmɔ- *mo- *mo-
wet *mocofo mɔkɔ ˈmɔtɔ-kɔ *moco(-ko) *moTo(k)
navel *mok[o]per[e]'mɔɔrə (?) meperə *mokpere *mokopere,
*mopere
blister *moro moro [CV] *mor[o] *mor(o)
lime *mu *mi *mi
water *mui mi mi *mui *muˈi
bathe *mui- mi- *mui- *mui-
root *mumu nuˈmu [sic] miˈmi *mimi *mimi
testicle(s) *musa(-eake) muta
muˈta-eke [CV]
ˈmihakə *misakV *misaka
mouse *musu muˈtu miˈhi-
bamboo sp. *muwisi ˈmuiti *muwis[i] *muis

Initial apical nasal /*n/ is retained as such in three subgroups:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*n- n- n- *n *n
dance *ni ni- [CV] *ni ni- *ni ni-
carry *nek[e/a]- neke- neka-
eat/drink *n[a/e]- ne- ne- *n[a/e]- *na-, *ne-
slow *namese namehe [CV]*names[e]*namese
white *napu napu [CV] *napi *napi
go down *nafu- -naw- -nafi- *nafi- *naj-, *now-
raw/unripe*nati naˈki naˈti *nati *naTi
ghost *nato 'natɔ *nato *nat(o)
flesh/meat*nasa naˈta naˈha *nasa *nasa
just/only *nasane natare [CV]nahana [CV]*nasane *nesen
wound *nas[o/u] naˈtu naˈhi *nas[o/u]*naso
hide *nawoma 'naɔ'ma 'naɔ'ma
1 pl. *nare narɛ narɔ *nare *naro
carry *noco- noko- [CV] *noc[o]- *noT-
1 sg. *nore nɔrɔ nɔrɔ *nore *nor

Initial bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ is retained as such in all three subgroups:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*p- p p *p *p
fish (v.) *pi- pi- [CV] pi- [CV] *pi- *pi-
fly (v.) *pi- pi-ɔnaɔ- pi-aɔnaɔ- *pi- *pi-
edge *pima pim-ini [CV]pima [CV] *pima *pima
smell *pinVmo ni'mu (?) pinumɔ *pinVm[o] *pinum
skin/bark *pitini ˈpikiri ˈpitini *pitini *piTini
blackpalm sp.*pisi piti [CV] pihi [CV] *pisi *pise
break *piki-(mi)- piki-(mi)- piki-(mi)- *piki-(m[i])-
give birth *pe- pe- pe- *pe- *pe-
crab *pea pea [CV] pea [CV] *pea *pea
boil (n.). *pem[e/a] ˈpema [CV] *pem[e] *peme
tight/firm *pepe pepe [CV] *pepe>/td> *pepe
termite sp. *penamo ˈpenamo [CV] *penam[o] *penam(o)
vagina *pere pere-ta pere [CV] *pere *per(e)
scale(s) *pa pa [CV] pa [CV] *pa *pa
turn around *pai- paj- [CV] *pai- *paj-
wallaby *painaro 'pajnarə 'pajnarɔ
shy/shame *paisi ˈpajti ˈpajhi
dirty *p… panawa [CV] pana-ko [CV] *p… *ponow(a)
itch/scabies *pa… pateta [CV] pajhi [CV] *… *pases
mangrove *pawe paˈe [CV] pawe [CV] *paw[e] *paw(e)
seek *paw[a/o]- paɔ- paɔ- *paw[a/o]- *powa-~*pawo-
breadfruit *pawo pawo [CV] *pawo *pawo
pigeon sp. *parufa parua [CV] *parif[i] *pari
wide *paj[a/o]ko pa'jɔkɔ pa'jakɔ
paddle *po *po *po
midrib *po po [CV] po [CV] *po *po
plant (v.) *po-mo- pe-me- [CV] po-mo-[CV] *po-m[o]- *pom(o)-
side *p[o]mane pamane [CV] *poman[e] *poman
ironwood sp. *posa pota [CV] poha [CV] *posa *posa
see/look *por[a]- poro- [CV] pora- [CV] *por[a]- *por-
ask *poro- -pɔrɔ- -pɔrɔ- *por[o]-
girl *… ˈparaha- [CV]*… *-porawis
cassowary *pu pi *pi *pi
flatulate *pu-m- ˈahama pumu- *as pu-m- *asa pum-
forehead *mana-pun[i/u] maˈna-pini *mana-pini *manapin
ripe *puwu puu piˈwi *piwi *piwi
moon *pura puˈra piˈra *pira *pira
sea/coast *puru puru [CV] piri [CV] *piri *piri

Initial apical voiceless stop /*t/ is backed to velar /k/ in Kamoro:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*t- k t *t *t
do (?) *te- kə- te-
rattan *tema kɛˈma taˈma *tema *tama ~ *tema
give *tema- kɛmə- tea-tamɔ- *te-tema- (sg.)
*ta-tema- (pl.)
*tetam- (sg.)
*tatam- (pl.)
go up *tepe- tepe- [CV] *tepe- *tepe-
rain *tefe kee te *tefe *te(e)
take *tewa- ke- tewa- *tew[a]- *tew-
child/son *tewu tiˈwi *t[i]wi *tiwi
split (tr.)*tere-me- tere-me- [CV]*tere-m[e]- *terem-
belly *tejake teakə *tejake *tia(-ke)
jaw *tVpane kepare [CV] *… *topane
morning *tamusija ˈkaɔmutja taməˈhɛ
banana *tafu kaw *tafi
nipa fruit *tas[e/a] taha [CV] *tase *tase
taboo *tasa kaˈta taˈha *tasa *tas(a)
say/speak *tawe- tawə- *tawe-
sago grub *tawV *tawV *tow
hit/beat *tawaFo kaɔ- tafɔ- *tawaF[o]- *toaf-
flying fox *tare tare [CV] *tare *tare
old *tarawu akaˈraw-tə tarai-ha [CV]*tarawi *tarej
yesterday *towa kɔˈa tɔˈa *towa *to(a)
front *topVne kopane [CV]topene [CV] *… *Topon(e)
on top *tone tone [CV] *tone *tom(e)

When initial /*t/ is followed by high front vowel /*i/, it is merged with palatal /*c/ (below) in Asmat. It would be just as possible to recontruct these examples with /*c/ since the distinction between /*t *c/ is neutralized in Kamoro and Sempan, but we choose /*t/ because it assumed to be the less marked sound:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*t-/_i k t *t *T
cut up *ti- ki- [CV] *ti- *Ti
canoe *tiu ku tu *tiu *Tiˈu
leech *tifi kii *tifi *Ti
with (com.)*tini kiri [CV] *tin[i]- *Tin(i)
go upriver *tini- kini- [CV]tini- [CV] *tin[i]- *Tin-
secret *t[i/u]r[i/u]wa tiriwa [CV]*tiriw[a]*Tiruw(a)

Initial palatal stop /*c/ is merged with the reflexes of /*t/ in Kamoro and in Sempan. Excepting sequences /*ci/ which are not contrastive with /*ti (above,) it appears to exist only followed by low central vowel /*a/, although medial /*c/ can be followed by /*o/ as well (below):

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*c- k t *t *T
kill *cafa- ta- [CV]*cafa- *Ta-
arrow *c[ai]sa tesa *c[ai]sa *Taisa ~ *Tiasa
house *came kame tame *came *Tame
penis *camane ˈkamarə ˈtamanə *camane *Tamane
sap *capi kapi [CV] *capi *Tapi
vagina *cani ta'ni *cani *Tani
below *can[a]s[a] ta'naha *can[a]s[a]*Tenes-
outside *casane ˈtahanə *casane *Tasane
one *cawak[e/a] eˈna-kɔa taˈwahɛ *cawaka *Towaka
nest *cawa ˈkao ˈtao *cawa *Towa ~ *Tawa
sago palm *cawo *cawo *Tawo ~ *Towo
woman/female*cawoca 'kaɔka *cawoca *TawoTa
who? *carV -kare [CV] *carV *Tar
2 pl. *care karɛ tarɔ *care *Tara

Initial velar voiceless stop /*k/ is uncommon. It is dropped in Kamoro and Sempan except in verb stems (below):

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*k- ø ø *k *k
two/double*kapoma apoma [CV] *kapoma*kapom
person *k[a]we we-nata ɔwe-naha *kawe *kawej
enough *kawa 'a-namɔ 'awa-namɔ*kawa
tongue *komane mare ˈɔmane *komane*(k)omane
brain(s) *kuisi iˈti ihi *kuisi *kuisi

As /*k/ is retained only sporadically in Asmat varieties (Voorhoeve 1980: 90, 117, 118,) it's highly likely that some forms which have been reconstructed here with an initial vowel in fact began with /*k/. Some of these may be recoverable through outcomparison; for example /*ewo/ “crocodile” and /*apimi/ “sago pulp” may have really been /*kewo/ and /*kapimi/ as evidenced by Cook River /*keu/, Marind /*kiu/ “crocodile” and Cook River /*keipm/ “sago tree”, even though there is no longer any direct evidence for this in Asmat (q.v. p. 76.) We conclude that Asmat likely is (or was) in the process of eliminating initial /*k/ altogether.

Initial bilabial or labiodental voiceless fricative /*f/ is reflected as /w/ or zero /ø/ in Tarya Kamoro:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorheove
*f- w ~ øf *f *f
vein/tendon *fima ima [CV] 'fumapi [CV]*fima *fima(-pir)
hair *fini iˈri fiˈni *fini *(u-)fini
nail *f[i]ti fiti *fiti *fiTi
turtle *fiwa[t/c]o ˈiɔkɔ fiwatɔ
make thatch *fe- fe- [CV] *fe- *fe-
hard/strong *feak[e] ˈfakə *feak[e] *feak
sharp *f[e/a]ro feroko [CV] *f[e/a]ro *faro(t)
neck *f[e/o]mak[e]eˈma *fomak[e] *femak ~ *fomak
thorn/spine *fa fa [CV] *fa *fa
buttocks *fae(-more) 'fae-meɾə *fae(-more)*fae(a), *faemore
cuscus *face ˈwakə fatə *face *faTi
widow/widower*fuisama ˈfiama *fuisam[a]

Initial apical voiceless fricative /*s/ is occluded to /t/ in Kamoro, filling the gap left by the shift of /*t/ to /k/ (above.) In Drabbe's Sempan, /*s/ is deoccluded to /h/, though Drabbe (1953: 88) states that this varies between [h s] by dialect:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*s- t h [h s] *s *s
dig *si- ti- [CV] hi- *si- *si-
plait *si- ti- *si- *si-
sand *simako 'timakɔ
sand *sini tiˈri hiˈni *mi-sini *misini
sour *si[t/c]are tikaɾə 'hitaj
tooth *sisi titi hi *sisi *sisi
thorn *s[i/e]sV[i/e]tetə hii
earth/mud *sefe tee he *sefe *se
pawpaw sp. *sena tena [CV] hena [CV] *sen[a] *sen(a)
egg *sa ta [CV] ha [CV] *sa *sa
distribution *sai haj- [CV] *sai *saj
shoulder *sairi ˈtairi ˈhiari *sairi *saji
dried/smoked *saewa hawa *saewa *saiwa (?)
death *sapo tapɔ- hapɔ
be extinguished*sapu-(mu)- taˈpu- hapi-(m)- *sapi-(m[i])- *sapim-
murder *s[a]nao taˈnao [V] hanaɔ *… *soˈnao
split *sakai- takaj-
takai-imi- [CV]
heke-me- [CV]*sakai-/*saka-m-*sakam-
white *sako takɔ ha'kɔ
sawfish sp. *sa[w]ate tawake [CV] *sawate *sawote
song *sawo taɔ haɔ *sawo *so
light (color) *s[a]reco hereto [CV] *… *sareT ~ *saroT
rope *somane ˈtɛma 'hɔmanə *somane *somane
lung(s) *sofo *sofo
upper arm *sofo tɔɔ hɔfɔ *sofo-ope *sope
afraid *sonV tono [CV] honae [CV] *sone *sone
elbow *sonane ˈtɔra-pɔa ˈhɔnanə *sonane *sonane
charcoal/black *sosV *sosV *sos
black *sosak[e] tate ˈhɔakɛ *sosakV *sosaka
dry *soso[to] totoko [CV] *soso[tV] *sosot
heart *soke toke [CV] ˈhɔkə *sok *sok(-Tan)

Initial bilabial non-stop /*w/ is generally retained as such in all three subgroups:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*w- w w *w *w
other/another *wen[i/u] weni [CV] *wen[i] *ˈwen
wave (n.) *wao wao [CV] wao [CV] *wao *ˈwao
forest *wafo(-asane)ˈwaɔ wahane [CV] *waf[o](-asane)*wa, *wasane
garden/clearing*wasa wata [CV] waˈha *was *was(a)
red ochre *wasae watae [CV]wahe- ~ waha [CV]*was[ae] *wasa
bamboo sp. *wakane wakane [CV] *wakan[e] *wakan(e)
now/today *wawa wa-'wa wa'wa *wawa *wawa
liver *waw[a/o] waɔ wawa *waw[a/o] *wao
sheet lightning*w[a]raki ˈuraki *waraki *warakaj
bundle *wo wo [CV] wu [CV] *wo *wu
thunder *wur[u] wuru *wiri *wuru
palm cabbage *wui[ja] wia [CV] *… *ˈwui

Two apparent exceptions in which Kamoro drops root-intiial /*w/ are kin terms which are typically prefixed by possessors:

Asmat-KamoroKamoroSempanAsmat Voorhoeve
*(-)w- ø w *w*w
father *witu iku wɔti *witi *-wiT, *-ote
mother (ref.)*w[o]se ɔtə 'wɛhɛ *wose *wose

Initial palatal non-stop /*j/ is retained in all three languages when followed by mid and low vowels /*e *a *o/:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*j-/_e a oj j *j *j
stone *j[e]ka jaka *j[e]ka *jeka
enemy *jewawe jewawe *jewawe
walking *ja[e] jae jaɛ *ja *ja
two *jam[i/u]nV jamane ja'mina *jamin[o]ko *jaminuk
salt/salty *jame jame [CV] *j[a]me *jeme
crooked *jamerV jamer [CV]jame [CV] (?)*jamerV *jamer
shield *jamase jamahe [CV] *j[a]m[a]se *jemese
armpit *jamopu ˈjamopu jamapi [CV] *jamopi *jamopi
ear *jafane ˈiini ˈianə *jafane *jafane
~ jane(-maka)
men's house *jafawe jafa [CV] *jafawe *jawe
wing *jaf[a]ro jaˈru *jaf[a]ro *jaoro
fat/grease *jaf… *jaf…
call *j[a]te- jeke- *j[a]te- *jate-
charcoal *jaka *jaka *jaka
cook/burn *jawi- jaj-mi- -jwi- *jawi-
rib(s)/side *jawimi ˈjajmi jajmi *jawimi *jawimi
black ashes *jawo eˈaɔ *jawo *jowomiTi
sun *jawu jaw jɔˈwi *jawi *jowe ~ *jowi
go/walk *jar[e]- jare- [CV] *jar[e]- *jar-
hole *j[a/o]Fa ja'fa *j[a/o]Fa *jofa
b.o. paradise*j[a/o]wa 'jaw-makɔ 'jɔw-mɔtɔ *jowa(-mot[o])*jowa
midday/noon *joka joka [CV] *joka *joka
river *jow[a/o] *jowa *joa(k)

There is at least one unexplained exception:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan AsmatVoorhoeve
*[j]-/_aø j ?
snake*[j]akas[i]aˈakatjaˈjakəha

When followed by high vowels /*i *u/, initial /*j/ is dropped in Kamoro and in Sempan. Note that initial /*ju/ develops differently from vowel sequence /*iu/ (below):

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*j-/_i ø ø *j
urine *ji ji ˈitakə *ji *ji
fish net *jim[i/e] ˈimi ˈimi *jim[i/e] *jime
nape *jimas[i] ˈimahi *jimas[i]
cave/cavity*jipa/td> 'ipa ipa [CV] *jipa *jip(a)
shadow *jipur ipu [CV] ipi [CV] *jipir[u] *jipuru
pull *jifi-mi- ii-mi- [CV]i-mi- [CV]*jifi-m[i]-*jim-
knee *jinifa ˈiri-pɔ ˈini-pɔ *jinifa *jina
go outside *jisi- iti- [CV] ihi- [CV] *jis[i]- *jis-
bamboo *jis[u]m[i/u] ihimi *jisim[i] *jisim(i)
enter *jiwi- ii- [CV] iwi- [CV] *jiwi- *jiw(i)-
hear/sense *jiwV- i- *jiwV-
casuarina *jiw… iiwi [CV] *jiwase *jiwase
rainbow *jiri 'iri *jir[i] *jir(i)
gall/bile *jiri i'ri i'ri *jiri *jiri
command *jiri-mi- iri-mi- *jiri-m[i]-*jirim-
cross river*jira ira- [CV] *jirV- *jir-
hornbill *jiro iiri [CV] *jir[o] *jiru
small *j[i/u]wu *jiwi *jiwi
*j-/_u ø ø *j *j
door *jumasapu ˈimapu ˈimahapi *jumasapi *jimasapi(ne)
~ jimasapu(ne)
cold *juFoko ˈifakɔ *juFoko *jufo(-to/ko)
heavy *jutoro *jutoro *juturu ~ *jitoro
dark *juwiti ˈiiki ˈiwiti *juwiti *jiwiTi
dog *juwuri uˈuri iwiri *juw[i]ri *juwuri
night *jurama ˈirama *jurama *jirama

Kamoro retains /*j/ before /*i/ in only one word which is conspicuous for being a monosyllable; presumably Sempan would have retained it too had the root not been suffixed:

Asmat-KamoroKamoroSempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*j-/_i j ø *j
urine*ji ji ˈi-takə*ji *ji

Any consonant can occur medially/

Medial bilabial nasal /*m/ is retained as such in all three subgroups:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-m- m m *m *m
same *imini imiri [CV]- inim [CV] *inim[i] *inim(i)
do/make *[i/e]m[i/e]-imi- eme- *em[e]- *em-
throw away *iwi-aso-mo ˈj-aɔtɔ-mɔ- ˈiw-ahɔ-mɔ- *iwi-asom[o]- *iwi-asom-
drum *eme eme eme *eme *eme
stand *eme- *em[e]- *em-
husband *[e]mao mjaɔ 'maɔ *… *omo-
wife *eamo eamɔ amɔ *eamo *-emo
bone *emake eˈmae emaˈkɛ *emake *emake
fish *enamo *enamo *enamo
top of tree *amisi amihi [CV] *amis[i] *amis(i)
lie down *[a]mese- mehe- *[a]mes[e]- *[a]mes-
snake sp. *amerV 'amerea [CV] *… *amer
hot *amam[a] a'mam-uru *amam[a] *amam
hot *amapo a'mapɔ-tɔ *amapo *amapo
owner *[a]mato amako [CV] mato [CV] *amat[o] *amat(o)
louse *amo ˈmamɔ ˈw-amɔ *ufu-amo *wamo
bow *amoine 'amɔrə 'amene *amoine *amu'ine
sago *amosa amuˈta amaˈha *amosa *amosa
story *amok[a/o] 'amɔkɔ- 'amɔka-
smoke *amuini ˈimini ˈamini *amuini *-amini~*amuni
sago pulp *apimi apimi [CV] *apim[i] *apim(i)
voice/speech *ata-kom[o] 'atamɔ *at[a]-kom[o] *atakom,
*atamo
nipa palm *akamo ˈakamɔ *akamo *akamo
rub *are-me- are-me- [CV] *are-m[e]- *aram(e)-
younger sister*[o]m[a/o]sV ma'hae *-omosi
sky *onamo 'ɔnamɔ *onamo *wonamo
steal *oso-mo- 'ɔtɔ-mɔ 'ɔhɔ-mɔ *oso-mo- *wosom-
straighten *oro-mo- oro-mo- [CV] *oro-mo- *orom-
ashes *umit[i/u] *jawo-umiti *jowomiTi
beneath *mimane 'mimarə 'mimanə
orphan *manima ma'nima-rə 'manima- *man[i]ma *manema
knowledge *mas[a/o]mo 'matamɔ 'mahamɔ *mas[o]m[o] *masom(o)
root *mumu nuˈmu [sic] miˈmi *mimi *mimi
edge *pima pim-ini [CV]pima [CV] *pima *pima
smell *pinVmo ni'mu pinumɔ *pinVm[o] *pinum
break (tr.) *piki-mi- piki-mi- piki-mi- *piki-m[i]-
boil (n.). *pem[e/a] ˈpema [CV] *pem[e] *peme
termite sp. *penamo ˈpenamo [CV] *penam[o] *penam(o)
plant (v.) *po-mo pe-me- [CV] po-mo-[CV] *po-m[o]- *pom(o)-
side *p[o]mane pamane [CV] *poman[e] *poman
vein/tendon *fima ima [CV] 'fumapi [CV] *fima *fima(-pir)
neck *f[e/o]mak[e]eˈma *fomak[e] *femak ~ *fomak
widow/widower *fuisama ˈfiama *fuisam[a]
slow *namese namehe [CV] *names[e] *namese
hide *nawoma 'naɔ'ma 'naɔ'ma
rattan *tema kɛˈma taˈma *tema *tama ~ *tema
give *tema- kɛmə- tea-tamɔ- *te-tema- (sg.)
*ta-tema- (pl.)
*tetam- (sg.)
*tatam- (pl.)
split (tr.) *tere-me- tere-me- [CV]*tere-m[e]- *terem-
morning *tamusija ˈkaɔmutja taməˈhɛ
house *came kame tame *cane *Tame
penis *camane ˈkamarə ˈtamanə *camane *Tamane
sand *simako 'timakɔ
extinguish *sapu-mu- /td> hapi-m- *sapi-m[i]- *sapim-
rope *somane ˈtɛma 'hɔmanə *somane *somane
eyebrows *kimini -kimiri -himiri
two/double *kapoma apoma [CV] *kapoma *kapom
enough *kawa-namo 'a-namɔ 'awa-namɔ
tongue *komane mare ˈɔmane *komane *(k)omane
push away *ko-mo- ko-mo- [CV] *ko-mo- *kom-asom-
fish net *jim[i/e] ˈimi ˈimi *jim[i/e] *jime
nape *jimas[i] ˈimahi *jimas[i]
pull *jifi-mi- ii-mi- [CV] i-mi- [CV] *jifi-m[i]- *jim-
bamboo *jis[u]m[i/u] ihimi *jisim[i] *jisim(i)
command *jiri-mi- iri-mi- *jiri-m[i]- *jirim-
salt/salty *jame jame [CV] *j[a]me *jeme
two *jam[i/u]nV jamane ja'mina *jamin[o]ko *jaminuk
crooked *jamerV jamer [CV] jame [CV] (?)*jamerV *jamer
shield *jamase jamahe [CV] *j[a]m[a]se *jemese
armpit *jamopu ˈjamɔpu jamapi [CV] *jamopi *jamopi
rib(s)/side *jawimi ˈjajmi jajmi *jawimi *jawimi
door *jumasapu ˈimapu ˈimahapi *jumasapi *jimasapi(ne)
~ jimasapu(ne)
sago leaf *[j]unVmo inimo [CV] *junVm[o] *junumu
night *jurama ˈirama *jurama *jirama

Medial apical nasal /*n/ …:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-n- n n *n *n
mother (add.)*en[ai]wa enea [CV] enaj [CV] *en[e]wa *enewa
fish *enamo *enamo *enamo
come *[e]naw[a]- naɔ- naɔ- *enaw[a]- *enaw-
smoke *amuini ˈimini ˈamini *amuini *-amini~*amuni
sky *onamo 'ɔnamɔ *onamo *wonamo
chin *okone 'ɔkɔnə ɔ'kɔn *okone *wokone
jungle fowl *owane *owane *owo-(ne/to)
spear *uruna ˈuruna ˈuruna
mucus *mini miˈni
python *minewe menewe [CV] *min[i]w *miniw
orphan *manima ma'nima-rə 'manima- *man[i]ma *manema
eye *mana ma-me ma'nakə *mana *mana(-ka)
forehead *mana-pun[i/u] maˈna-pini *mana-pini *manapin
sugarcane *monefV mɔne
not/none *muna -ˈmuna -ˈmɔna (?) *.mina. *min(a)
smell *pinVmo ni'mu pinumɔ *pinVm[o] *pinum
termite sp. *penamo ˈpenamo [CV]*penam[o] *penam(o)
wallaby *painaro 'pajnarə 'pajnarɔ
dirty *p… panawa [CV]pana-ko [CV]*p… *ponow(a)
side *p[o]mane pamane [CV] *poman[e] *poman
go upriver *tini- kini- [CV] tini- [CV] *tin[i]- *Tin-
front *topVne kopane [CV]topene [CV] *… *Topon(e)
on top *tone tone [CV] *tone *tom(e)
vagina *cani ta'ni *cani *Tani
low/below *can[a]s[a] ta'naha *can[a]s[a]*Tenes-
pawpaw sp. *sena tena [CV] hena [CV] *sen[a] *sen(a)
murder *s[a]nao taˈnao [V] hanaɔ *… *soˈnao
afraid *sonV tono [CV] honae [CV] *sone *sone
enough *kawa-namo 'a-namɔ 'awa-namɔ
other/another*wen[i/u] weni [CV] *wen[i] *ˈwen
two *jam[i/u]nV jamane ja'mina *jamin[o]ko*jaminuk
ear *jafane ˈiini ˈianə *jafane *jafane
~ jane(-maka)
sago leaf *[j]unVmo inimo [CV] *junVm[o] *junumu

One example shows an seeminglyirregular loss of medial /*n/ in Kamoro and Sempan:

Asmat-KamoroKamoroSempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-n- ø ø *n *n
thought*minipV mipi mipo (?)*minipV*minip

Many examples of medial /*n/ in subfinal position are reflecrted as /r/ in Kamoro, though this is not an exceptionaless rule as seen above. Perhaps the answer lies in borrowing across Kamoro dialects, for example Robidé van der Aa's (1879) Lakahia shows /n/ in this position (q.v. Ray 1912: 327):

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-n(-) -r- -n- *-n- *n
same *imini imiri [CV]-inim [CV] *inim[i] *inim(i)
lip(s) *iwin[i/e] ˈiiri ˈiwini *jw[i]n[e] *iwene
bow *amoine 'amɔrə 'amene *amoine *amu'ine
centipede *anu aru [CV] *ani *ani
groin *apini apiri [CV] *apin[i] *apin(i)
hip/thigh *asini ˈatiri ˈahini *asini *asini
coconut *usini ˈutiri ˈihini *jusini *jusini
beneath *mimane 'mimarə 'mimanə
armband sp.*metane makare [CV]metane [CV}*metane *metan(e)
tip/point *m[e/a]n[e] -mare *m[e/a]n[e]*aw men(e)
hand/arm *mafane maarə ˈmafanə *mafane *mafane,
*mane
trunk/nase *mopane mapare [CV]mopane [CV]*mopane *mopane
war *mo[t/c]ane ˈmokarə ˈmatanə
skin/bark *pitini ˈpikiri ˈpitini *pitini *piTini
just/only *nasane natare [CV]nahana [CV]*nasane *nesen
with (com.)*tini kiri [CV] *tin[i]- *Tin(i)
jaw *tVpane kepare [CV] *… *topane
penis *camane ˈkamarə ˈtamanə *camane *Tamane
outside *casane ˈtahanə *casane *Tasane
rope *somane ˈtɛma (?) 'hɔmanə *somane *somane
elbow *sonane ˈtɔra-pɔ ˈhɔnanə *sonane *sonane
eyebrow(s) *kimini -kimiri -himini
tongue *komane mare ˈɔmane *komane *(k)omane
hair *fini ˈwiri fiˈni *fini *(u-)fini
bamboo sp. *wakane wakane [CV]*wakan[e] *wakan(e)
sand *sini tiˈri hiˈni *mi-sini *misini

…:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-n- r n *n *n
elbow*sonane ˈtɔra-pɔˈhɔnanə*sonane*sonane
knee *jinifa ˈiri-pɔ ˈini-pɔ*jinifa*jina

Medial bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ is retained as such in all three subgroups:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-p- p p *p *p
older brother *[e]poca pɔka *pɔta *epoc[a] *-epoT
tail *epe *epe *epe(-mak)
hot *amapo a'mapɔ-tɔ *amapo *amapo
sago pulp *apimi apimi [CV] *apim[i] *apim(i)
groin *apini apiri [CV] *apin[i] *apin(i)
daughter *[a]pija pja apja
sit *ape- epə- apə- *ape- *ape- ~ *jape-
sago palm stem *apapi ˈapapi ˈapapi
pronged spear *ap[a/o]to apoko [CV] *ap[a]to *apa-(ne/to)
kernel/core *apoke apeke
~ apoko [CV]
*apok[e] *apok(e)
behind *asapu a'tapu -ahapi *asap[i] *asap(e)
high/above *ope ɔpə ɔpe *ope *ope
fly (n.) *opoto ˈkɔpɔkɔ [sic] *opoto *opoto
man/male *upuc[i/a] ˈupuka ˈipita *j[u]pit[i] *jipiTi
older sister *upuca ˈupuka ˈupita *upica *-ipiTa ~ *-upiTa
sweat *uwaputi 'waputi 'jɔpiti
thought *minipV mipi mipo (?) *minipV *minip
tail *m[i/e]p[i/e]ˈmipi ˈmɛpə *mep[e] *mepe(-mak)
trunk/nase *mopane mapare [CV] mopane [CV]*mopane *mopane
tight/firm *pepe pepe [CV] *pepe>/td> *pepe
white *napu napu [CV] *napi *napi
go up *tepe- tepe- [CV] *tepe- *tepe-
jaw *tVpane kepare [CV] *… *topane
front *topVne kopane [CV] topene [CV]*… *Topon(e)
sap *capi kapi [CV] *capi *Tapi
death *sapo tapɔ- hapɔ
be extinguished*sapu-(mu)- taˈpu- hapi-(m)- *sapi-(m[i])-*sapim-
larynx *kapo -kapu -kaˈpɔ
two/double *kapoma apoma [CV] *kapoma *kapom
follow *kap[u]- kapu- [CV] kapo- [CV] *kapu- *kapu-
door *jimasapu ˈimapu ˈimahapi *jimasapi *jimasapi(ne)
~ jimasapu(ne)
cave/cavity *jipa/td> 'ipa ipa [CV] *jipa *jip(a)
shadow *jipu[ru] ipu [CV] ipi [CV] *jipir[u] *jipuru
armpit *jamopu ˈjamapu jamapi [CV]*jamopi *jamopi

One example shows an apparently irregular alternation between /*p/ and /*f/ (below):

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorheove
*-[p/f]-ø [f]p *p *p
saliva*mesa[p/f]u maˈtaɔ ˈmahapi*masapi*masap

Medial apical voiceless stop /*t/ is like intiial /*t/ (above) backed to velar /k/ in Kamoro, where it merges with the reflexes of /*k/ (below):

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-t- k t *t *t
owner *[a]mato amako [CV] mato [CV] *amat[o] *amat(o)
pronged spear *ap[a/o]to apoko [CV] *ap[a]to *apa-(ne/to)
voice/speech *ata ak-werə 'ata-mɔ *ata- *atakom
*atamo
fly (n.) *opoto ˈkɔpɔkɔ [sic] *opoto *opoto
thumb *m[i/u]-tewu ˈmitiwi *mitiwitV*mitit
armband sp. *metane makare [CV] metane [CV} *metane *metan(e)
path *mato mako [CV] moto [CV] *mato *matot
star *mawuto ˈmaakɔ ˈmawətɔ *mawito *mawito
tail feather(s)*m[a/o]to -makɔ mɔ'tɔ ~ -mɔkɔ (?)*-mot[o]
tie/fasten *mot[e/a]- mɔke- mota- [CV] *motV- *mot-
ghost *nato 'natɔ *nato *nat(o)
sawfish sp. *sa[w]ate tawake [CV] *sawate *sawote
dry *soso[to] totoko [CV] *soso[tV]*sosot
call *j[a]te- jeke- *j[a]te- -*jate-
heavy *jutoro *jutoro *juturu ~ *jitoro

When medial /*t/ is followed by high front vowel /*i/, it is merged with palatal /*c/ (below) in Asmat. It would be just as possible to recontruct these examples with /*c/ since the distinction between /*t *c/ is neutralized in Kamoro and Sempan, but we choose /*t/ because it assumed to be the less marked sound:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-t-/_i k t *t
thorn *iti iki [CV] iti [CV] *iti *(j)iTi
nape *ititi ˈikiki *itit[i]
nettle leaves*atiwi aki [CV] atiwi [CV]*atiwi *aTuw(i)
platform *atiri akiri [CV] *atir(i) *aTir(i)
ashes *umit[i/u] *jawo-umiti*jowomiTi
sweat *uwaputi 'waputi 'jɔpiti
skin/bark *pitini ˈpikiri ˈpitini *pitini *piTini
nail *f[i]ti fiti *fiti *fiTi
raw/unripe *nati naˈki naˈti *nati *naTi
dark *juwiti ˈiiki ˈiwiti *jiwiti *jiwiTi

When /*t/ is followed by /*u/, it is also palatalized in Asmat.:

Asmat-KamoroKamoroSempanAsmat Voorhoeve
*-t-/_u k t *c*T
father*witu iku wɔti *witi *-wiT, *-ote

Because the reflexes of /*t/ and /*c/ have merged in Kamoro and in Sempan (below,) it is sometimes impossible to distringuish the two where there is no Asmat attestation:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan AsmatVoorhoeve
*-[t/c]-k t ?
jungle fowl*owo[t/c]o ˈɔkɔ ˈɔwɔtɔ *owo-(ne/to)
war *mo[t/c]ane ˈmokarəˈmatanə
turtle *fiwa[t/c]o ˈiɔkɔ ˈfiwatɔ
sour *si[t/c]are tikaɾə 'hitaj

Medial palatal voiceless stop /*c/ is found before low central and low mid back rounded vowels /*a *o/, where it contrasts with the reflexes of /*t/ (above):

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-c- k t *c *T
older brother *[e]poca pɔka pɔta *epoc[a] *-epoT
frog *eco ekɔ etɔ *eto *eTo
younger brother*[e]waoca aɔka ɔta *ewaoc[a] *-ewaoc
where? *ocare okare [CV] *ocar[e] *uTar(e)
man/male *upuc[i/a] ˈupuka ˈipita *j[u]pit[i]*jipiTi
older sister *upuca ˈupuka ˈupita *upica *-ipiTa ~ *-upiTa
wet *mocofo mɔkɔ ˈmɔtɔ-kɔ *moco(-ko) *moTo(k)
carry *noco- noko- [CV] *noco]- *noT-
woman/female *cawoca 'kaɔka *tawota *TawoTa
light (color) *s[a]reco hereto [CV]*… *sareT ~ *saroT

Unlike intiial /*c/ which is always followed by low central vowel /*a/, medial /*c/ is found also followed by mid front /*e/:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-c-/_e k t *c *T
goanna sp.*[o]ce oke [CV] ote [CV] *… *wuTi
laugh *[o]ce ɔkɔ kɔ- ɔtə ɔtɔ- *… *wuTi woTi-
cry/weep *mace makə makə-matə matə-*mace mace-*maTi
cuscus *face ˈwakə fatə *face *faTi

Media velar voicless stop /*k/, including root-initial /*k/ in compounds, is generally retained as such in all three subgroups:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-k- k k *k *k
eyebrow(s) *-kimini -ˈkimiri -ˈhimini [sic] &nbsp—;
larynx *-kapo -kapu -kaˈpɔ
fruit/seed *eake -ekə -ɛˈkɛ *eake *eake
story *amok[a/o] 'amɔkɔ- 'amɔka-
kernel/core *apoke apeke
~ apoko [CV]
*apok[e] *apok(e)
bitter/pain *asako 'atakɔ a'hakɔ *…
nipa palm *akamo ˈakamɔ *akamo *akamo
egg *oka ɔˈka *oka *oka
chin *okone 'ɔkɔnə ɔ'kɔn *okone *wokone
back *maeke mekə *maeke *ma(e)ke
wasp sp. *m[a]ko moko [CV] *mako *mako
break *piki-(mi)- piki-(mi)- piki-(mi)- *piki-(m[i])-
wide *paj[a/o]ko pa'jɔkɔ pa'jakɔ
hard/strong *feak[e] ˈfakə *feak[e] *feak
neck *f[e/o]mak[e]eˈma *f[e/o]mak[e] *femak ~ *fomak
carry *nek[e/a]- neke- neka-
belly *tejake teakə *tejake *tia(-ke)
sand *simako 'timakɔ
split *sakai- takaj-
takai-imi- [CV]
heke-me- [CV] *sakai-/*saka-m-*sakam-
white *sako takɔ ha'kɔ
heart *soke toke [CV] ˈhɔkə *sok *sok(-Tan)
bamboo sp. *wakane wakane [CV] *wakan[e] *wakan(e)
sheet lightning*w[a]raki ˈuraki *waraki *warakaj
tie up *j[i/e]ka- eka- *j[i]k[a]- *jik-
stone *j[e]ka jaka *j[e]ka *jeka
charcoal *jaka *jaka *jaka
snake *[j]akas[ij]aˈakatja ˈjakəha
midday/noon *joka joka [CV] *joka *joka

Likewise, root-initial /*k/ is retained in verbs, which are typically prefixed:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*(-)k- k k *k *k
tear/loosn*kai- kaj- [CV] kaj- [CV] *kaj- *kaj-
follow *kap[u]- kapu- [CV] kapo- [CV]*kapu- *kapu-
push away *ko-mo- ko-mo- [CV] *ko-mo-*kom-asom-
go down *koro- kɔrɔ-naw- kɔrɔ-nafi-*koro- *kor(a)-

…:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-k ø k k *k
bone *emake eˈmae emaˈkɛ *emake *emake
testicle(s)*musa(-eake)muta
muˈta-eke [CV]
ˈmihakə *misakV *misaka
wet *mocofo-ko ˈmɔtɔ-kɔ *moco-ko*moTo(k)
one *cawak[e/a] eˈna-kɔa taˈwahɛ [sic]*cawaka *Towaka
black *sosak[e] tate ˈhɔakɛ *sosakV *sosaka
sneeze *jaki jaje ja'hi [sic] *jaki

Medial bilabial or labiodental voiceless fricative /*f/ is, like the medial reflexes of bilabial non-stop/*w/ (below,) dropped completely in Tarya Kamoro; however it is retained as [f h] in Kamoro's Wania dialects (Drabbe 1953: 85.) It is retained only sporadically in Sempan. Because medial /*f/ is not reliably attested in any of our main sources, some examples can be inferred only indirectly from vowel length in Tarya Kamoro or from outcomparison to Kamrau Bay cognates:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-f- ø f ~ ø *f *f *w *ø
wasp sp. *ifi ii [CV] ifi [CV] *ifi *i(f)i
leaf *efe ee je *efe *ee
near *afarV a'warɔ- 'afarə
pig *ofo ɔɔ [ˈɔfɔ] ˈɔfɔ *ofo *ofo
goura pigeon*ufo ˈuu 'ifɔ *jufo *jofo
head *ufu u- [ufu] u- *ufu *u-
head louse *ufu-amo ˈw-amɔ *ufu-amo *wamo
hand/arm *mafane ˈmaarə mafanə *mafane *mafane,
*mane
sugarcane *monefV mɔne
wet *mocofo mɔkɔ ˈmɔtɔ-kɔ *moco(-ko) *moTo(k)
pigeon sp. *parufa parua [CV] *parif[i] *pari
go down *nafu- -naw- -nafi- *nafi– *naj-, *now-
leech *tifi kii *tifi *Ti
rain *tefe kee [kefe] te *tefe *te(e)
banana *tafu kaw [kafu] *tafi
kill *cafa- ta- [CV] *cafa- *Ta-
earth/mud *sefe tee he *sefe *se
lung(s) *sofo *sofo
upper arm *sofo tɔɔ hɔfɔ *sofo-ope *sope
forest *wafo(-asane)ˈwaɔ wasane [CV]*waf[o](-asane)*wa, *wasane
pull *jifi-mi- ii-mi- [CV]i-mi- [CV] *jifi-m[i]- *jim-
knee *jinifa ˈiri-pɔ ˈini-pɔ *jinifa *jina
ear *jafane ˈiini ˈianə *jafane *jafane
~ jane(-maka)
men's house *jafawe jafa [CV] *jafawe *jawe
wing *jaf[a]ro jaˈru *jaf[a]ro *jaoro
fat/grease *jaf… *jaf…

… /*F/ …:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-F- ø f ~ ø*F *f
finger *eFe ee *eFe *efe
rotten *oF[o] *oF[o] *ofa(k)
hit/beat*tawaFo kaɔ- [kafɔ]tafɔ- *tawaF[o]-*toaf-
hole *j[a/o]Fa ja'fa *j[a/o]Fa *jofa
cold *juFoko ˈifakɔ *jFfoko *jufo(-to/ko)

Medial apical voiceless fricative /*s/, like intiial /*s/ (above), is occluded to /t/ in Kamoro and deoccluded to /h/ in Drabbe's Sempan, though Drabbe (1953: 88) states that this varies between [h s] by dialect:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-s- t h [h s] *s *s
mosquito *isi iˈti iˈhi *isi *isi
throw away *iwi-aso-mo ˈj-aɔtɔ-mɔ- ˈiw-ahɔ-mɔ- *iwi-asom[o]-*iwi-asom-
blood/red *ese ete ehe *ese *ese
sleep *ese ete ehe *ese *esi (es-)
plaited bag *esae e'tae [CV] 'ehae [CV] *es[ae] *esa(-ke)/td>
top of tree *amisi amihi [CV] *amis[i] *amis(i)
lie down *amese- mehe *ames[e]- *[a]mes-
sago *amosa amuˈta amaˈha *amosa *amosa
afternoon *jawu-asi ew-ati [CV] jaw-ahi [CV]
hip/thigh *asini ˈatiri ˈahini *asini *asini
excrement *asa aˈta aˈha *asa *asa
grandmother *asao[k] a'taɔ a'haɔ-ro *… *-asok
behind *asapu a'tapu -ahapi *asapi *asap(e)
bitter/pain *asako 'atakɔ a'hakɔ *…
big *as[o]wa atɔ'a *… *asuw
new *ajasa 'ajha *ajas[a]
younger sister *[o]m[a/o]sV ma'hae *-omosi
tree/wood *ose ɔtə ˈɔhɔ *ose *wose
cough/phlegm *osV ɔ'taj ɔ'hɔ *osV *os(e)
steal *oso-mo- 'ɔtɔ-mɔ 'ɔhɔ-mɔ *oso-mo- *wosom-
coconut *usini ˈutiri ˈihini *jusini *jusini
firewood/fire *usa uta juˈha *jusa *jusa
name *uwase 'u-nata ˈiwahɛ *juwas[e] *juwas
husband *miwisi miwihi [CV] *miwisi *-miwis(i)
termite sp. *mese meˈsɛ *mes[e] *mes(e)
saliva *mesa[p/f]u maˈtaɔ ˈmahapi *masapi *masap
knowledge *mas[a/o]mo 'matamɔ 'mahamɔ *mas[o]m[o] *masom(o)
testicle(s) *musa(-eake) muta
muˈta-eke [CV]
ˈmihakə *misakV *misaka
mouse *musu muˈtu miˈhi-
bamboo sp. *muwisi ˈmuiti *muwis[i] *muis
blackpalm sp. *pisi piti [CV] pihi [CV] *pisi *pise
shy/shame *paisi ˈpajti ˈpajhi
itch/scabies *pa… pateta [CV] pajhi [CV] *… *pases
ironwood sp. *posa pota [CV] poha [CV] *posa *posa
girl *… ˈparaha- [CV] *… *-porawis
slow *namese namehe [CV] *names[e] *namese
flesh/meat *nasa naˈta naˈha *nasa *nasa
just/only *nasane natare [CV] nahana [CV] *nasane *nesen
wound *nas[o/u] naˈtu naˈhi *nas[o/u] *naso
morning *tamusija ˈkaɔmutja taməˈhɛ
taboo *tasa kaˈta taˈha *tasa *tas(a)
arrow *c[ai]sa teha *c[ai]sa *Taisa ~ *Tiasa
low/below *can[a]s[a] ta'naha *can[a]s[a] *Tenes-
outside *casane ˈtahanə *casane *Tasane
charcoal/black *sosV *sosV *sos
black *sosak[e] tate ˈhɔakɛ *sosakV *sosaka
dry *soso[to] totoko [CV] *soso[tV] *sosot
brain(s) *kuisi iˈti ihi *kuisi *kuisi
clearing/garden*wasa wata [CV] waˈha *wasa *was(a)
red ochre *wasae watae [CV] wahe- ~ waha [CV]*was[ae] *wasa
mother (ref.) *w[o]se ɔtə 'wɛhɛ *wose *wose
nape *jimas[i] ˈimahi *jimas[i]
go outside *jisi- iti- [CV] ihi- [CV] *jis[i]- *jis-
bamboo *jis[u]m[i/u] ihimi *jisim[i] *jisim(i)
shield *jamase jamahe [CV] *j[a]m[a]se *jemese
snake *[j]akas[i]a ˈakatja ˈjakəha
door *jumasapu ˈimapu (?) ˈimahapi *jumasapi *jimasapi(ne)
~ jimasapu(ne)

Where medial /*s/ follows another fricative /*f *s/, it is dropped in Sempan:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat
*-s-/fV_ t ø *s
widow/widower*fuisama ˈfiama *fuisam[a]
*-s-/sV_ t ø *s *s
tooth *sisi titi hi *sisi *sisi
thorn *s[i/e]s[i/e]tetə hii
black *sosak[e] tate ˈhɔakɛ *sosakV *sosaka
dry *soso[to] totoko [CV] *soso[tV] *sosot
itch/scabies *pa… pateta [CV]pajhi [CV]*… *pases

Medial bilabial non-stop /*w/ is dropped in Tarya Kamoro. It is retained in the Kamoro's Wania dialects (q.v. Drabbe 1953: 84):

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-w- ø w *w *w
throw away *iwi-aso-mo ˈj-aɔtɔ-mɔ-ˈiw-ahɔ-mɔ-*iwi-asom[o]-*iwi-asom-
lip(s) *iwin[i/e] ˈiiri ˈiwini *iw[i]n[e] *iwene
crocodile *ewV ewe *ewo *ewo
nettle leaves*atiwi aki [CV] atiwi [CV] *atiwi *aTuw(i)
big *as[o]wa atɔ'a *… *asuw
cheek *aware 'awarə (?) 'awarə
branch *awa[k] a'wakə *awa *awa
breast *awo ˈaɔ ˈawɔ *awo *awo
banana *owV ɔ'wae *owV *oo ~ *uu
jungle fowl *owane *owane *owo-(ne/to)
jungle fowl *owo[t/c]o ˈɔkɔ ˈɔwɔtɔ *owo-(ne/to)
name *uwase 'u-nata ˈiwahɛ *juwase *juwas
long *urawa i'rawa-kɔ *… *jurao
ghost sp. *miwi mii [miwi] *miwi *miwi
husband *miwisi miwihi [CV]*miwisi *-miwis(i)
thumb *m[i/u]-tewu ˈmitiwi *mitiwitV *mitit
Venus *mawor[a] *mawor[a] *ma(i)wor
foot/leg *mawu maw maˈwi *mawi *maji ~ *mawi
star *mawuto ˈmaakɔ ˈmawətɔ *mawito *mawito
bamboo sp. *muwisi ˈmuiti *muwis[i] *muis
mangrove *pawe paˈe [CV] pawe [CV] *paw[e] *paw(e)
breadfruit *pawo pawo [CV] *pawo *pawo
ripe *puwu puu piˈwi *piwi *piwi
turtle *fiwa[t/c]o ˈiɔkɔ ˈfiwatɔ
secret *t[i/u]r[i/u]wa tiriwa [CV]*tiriw[a] *Tiruw(a)
take *tewa- ke- tewa- *tew[a]- *tew-
child/son *tewu tiˈwi *t[i]wi *tiwi
say/speak *tawe- tawə- *tawe-
one *cawak[e/a] eˈna-kɔa taˈwahɛ *cawaka *Towaka
sago palm *cawo *cawo *Tawo ~ *Towo
woman/female *cawoca 'kaɔka *cawoca *TawoTa
dried/smoked *saewa hawa *saewa *saiwa (?)
person *k[a]we we-nata ɔwe-naha *kawe *kawej
enough *kawa 'a-namɔ 'awa-namɔ *kawa
liver *waw[a/o] waɔ wawa *waw[a/o] *wao
enter *jiwi- ii- [CV] iwi- [CV] *jiwi- *jiw(i)-
hear/sense *jiwV- i- *jiwV-
casuarina *jiw… iiwi [CV] *jiwase *jiwase
small *j[i/u]wu *jiwi *jiwi
enemy *jewawe jewawe *jewawe
men's house *jafawe jafa [CV] *jafawe *jawe
cook/burn *jawi- jaj-mi- -jwi- *jawi-
black ashes *jawo eˈaɔ *jawo *jowomiTi
sun *jawu jaw jɔˈwi *jawi *jowe ~ *jowi
dark *juwiti ˈiiki ˈiwiti *jiwiti *jiwiTi
kunai grass *juwa *juwa
dog *juwuri uˈuri iwiri *juw[i]ri *juwuri

… medial /*w/ … dropped in Sempan as well as in Tarya Kamoro:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-w- ø ø *w *w *ø
mother (add.) *en[ai]wa enea [CV] enaj [CV] (?)*en[e]wa *enewa
come *[e]naw[a]- naɔ- naɔ- *enaw[a]- *enaw-
younger brother*[e]waoca aɔka ɔta *ewaoc[a] *-ewaoc
sweat *uwaputi 'waputi 'jɔpiti
seek *paw[a/o]- paɔ- paɔ- *paw[a/o]-*powa-~*pawo-
girl *… ˈparaha- [CV]*… *-porawis
hit/beat *tawaFo kaɔ- tafɔ- *tawaF[o]-*toaf-
hide *nawoma 'naɔ'ma 'naɔ'ma
sago grub *tawV *tawV *tow
old *tarawu akaˈraw-tətarai-ha [CV]*tarawi *tarej
yesterday *towa kɔˈa tɔˈa *towa *to(a)
nest *cawa ˈkao ˈtao *cawa *Towa ~ *Tawa
song *sawo taɔ haɔ *sawo *so
rib(s)/side *jawimi ˈjajmi jajmi *jawimi *jawimi
river *jow[a/o] *jowa *joa(k)

One example in which Kamoro unexpectedly retains medial /*w/ is probably a redupication, at least in Kamoro where the expected form would otherwise be [waa]:

Asmat-KamoroKamoroSempanAsmat Voorhoeve
*-w- w w *w*w *ø
now/today*wawa wa-'wawa'wa *wawa *wawa

Medial apical non-stop /*r/ is retained as such in all three subgroups:

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-r- r r *r *r
snake sp. *amerV 'amerea [CV] *… *amer
near *afarV a'warɔ- 'afarə
platform *atiri akiri [CV] *atir(i) *aTir(i)
cheek *aware 'awarə (?) 'awarə
rub *are-me- are-me- [CV] *are-m[e]- *aram(e)-
3 sg./this *are arɛ arɔ *are *ara
where? *ocare okare [CV] *ocar[e] *uTar(e)
2 sg. *ore ɔrɔ ɔrɔ *ore *woro
straight *oro 'ɔrɔ *oro- *orom-
long *urawa i'rawa-kɔ *… *jurao
spear *uruna ˈuruna ˈuruna
day *mare mara-tja [CV]mare [CV] *mar[e]- *mar(e)
lightning *mVro ma'ra-pəta maarɔ *… *(masa-)maro
Venus *mawor[a] *mawor[a] *ma(i)wor
navel *mok[o]per[e] 'mɔɔrə (?) meperə *mokpere *mokopere,
*mopere
blister *moro moro [CV] *mor[o] *mor(o)
vagina *pere pere-ta pere [CV] *pere *per(e)
wallaby *painaro 'pajnarə 'pajnarɔ
girl *… ˈparaha- [CV]*… *-porawis
pigeon sp. *parufa parua [CV] *parif[i] *pari
see/look *por[a]- poro- [CV] pora- [CV] *por[a]- *por-
ask *poro- -pɔrɔ- -pɔrɔ- *por[o]-
cassowary *pu pi *pi *pi
moon *pura puˈra piˈra *pira *pira
sea/coast *puru puru [CV] piri [CV] *piri *piri
sharp *f[e/a]ro feroko [CV] *f[e/a]ro *faro(t)
1 pl. *nare narɛ narɔ *nare *naro
1 sg. *nore nɔrɔ nɔrɔ *nore *nor
secret *t[i/u]r[i/u]wa tiriwa [CV] *tiriw[a] *Tiruw(a)
split (tr.) *tere-me- tere-me- [CV]*tere-m[e]-*terem-
flying fox *tare tare [CV] *tare *tare
old *tarawu akaˈraw-tə tarai-ha [CV]*tarawi *tarej
who? *carV -kare [CV] *carV *Tar
2 pl. *care karɛ tarɔ *care *Tara
sour *si[t/c]are tikaɾə 'hitaj (?)
shoulder *sairi ˈtairi ˈhiari *sairi *saji
light (color) *s[a]reco hereto [CV] *… *sareT ~ *saroT
go down *koro- kɔrɔ-naw- kɔrɔ-nafi- *koro- *kor(a)-
sheet lightning*w[a]raki ˈuraki *waraki *warakaj
thunder *wuru wuru *wiri *wuru
rainbow *jiri 'iri *jir[i] *jir(i)
gall/bile *jiri i'ri i'ri *jiri *jiri
command *jiri-mi- iri-mi- *jiri-m[i]-*jirim-
cross river *jira ira- [CV] *jirV- *jir-
hornbill *jiro iiri [CV] *jir[o] *jiru
crooked *jamerV jamer [CV] jame [CV] (?)*jamerV *jamer
wing *jaf[a]ro jaˈru *jaf[a]ro *jaoro
go/walk *jar[e]- jare- [CV] *jar[e]- *jar-
heavy *jutoro *jutoro *juturu ~ *jitoro
dog *juwuri uˈuri iwiri *juw[i]ri *juwuri
w. cockatoo *[j]urV *jurV *jur
night *jurama ˈirama *jurama *jirama

Medial palatal non-stop /*j/ …:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*-j- j j *j *j
new *aji 'aj-ku *aji
new *ajasa 'ajha *ajas[a]
daughter *[a]pija pja apja
wide *paj[a/o]ko pa'jɔkɔ pa'jakɔ
morning *tamusija ˈkaɔmutjataməˈhɛ
palm cabbage*wuija wia [CV] *… *ˈwui

… compounds …


… vowels …

Initial high back rounded vowel /*u/ …:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*u/#_ u ju i *ju *ju
man/male *upuc[i/a] ˈupuka ˈipita *j[u]pit[i]*jipiTi
goura pigeon *ufo ˈuu i'ifɔ *jufo *jofo
coconut *usini ˈutiri ˈihini *jusini *jusini
firewood/fire*usa uta juˈha *jusa *jusa
kunai grass *uwa *juwa
sweat *uwaputi 'waputi'jɔpiti
name *uwase 'u-nataˈiwahɛ *juwase *juwas
long *urawa i'rawa-kɔ*… *jurao

Three seeming exceptions to this rule …:

Asmat-KamoroKamoro SempanAsmat Voorhoeve
*u/-_ u u *u *u
head *ufu u- [ufu]u- *ufu *u-
ashes *umit[i/u] *jawo-umiti*jowomiTi
older sister*upuca ˈupuka ˈupita*upica *-ipiTa ~ *-upiTa

One exception is probably a loan from Kamoro into Sempan:

Asmat-KamoroKamoroSempanAsmat Voorhoeve
*u/-_ u u &nbsp?—*u
spear*uruna ˈurunaˈuruna

Following initial palatal non-stop /*j/, /*u/ merges with /i/ in Kamoro and Sempan but remains /*u/ in Asmat:

Asmat-KamoroKamoroSempanAsmat Voorhoeve
*u/j_ i i *u *u
cold *juFoko ˈifakɔ*juFoko*jufo(-to/ko)
heavy*jutoro *jutoro*juturu ~ *jitoro
dark *juwiti ˈiiki ˈiwiti*juwiti*jiwiTi
night*jurama ˈirama*jurama*jirama

One exception …:

Asmat-KamoroKamoroSempanAsmat Voorhoeve
*u/j_ u i *u *u
dog*juwuri uˈuri iwiri *juw[i]ri*juwuri

Voorhoeve (1980: 56) observes that clear examples of /*u/ are uncommon in his data.

Asmat-Kamoro Kamoro Sempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*u u i *i *i
centipede *anu aru [CV] *ani *ani
man/male *uputa ˈupuka ˈipita *j[u]pit[i]*jipiTi
lime *mu *mi *mi
root *mumu nuˈmu miˈmi *mimi *mimi
not/none *muna -ˈmuna -ˈmɔna (?) *.mina. *min(a)
mouse *musu muˈtu miˈhi-
testicle(s) *musa(-eake) muta
muˈta-eke [CV]
ˈmihakə *misakV *misaka
pigeon sp. *parufa parua [CV] *parif[a] *pari
cassowary *pu pi *pi *pi
forehead *mana-pun[i/u] maˈna-pini *mana-pini *manapin
ripe *puwu puu piˈwi *piwi *piwi
moon *pura puˈra piˈra *pira *pira
sea/coast *puru puru [CV] piri [CV] *piri *piri
behind *asapu a'tapu -ahapi *asap[i] *asap(e)
man/male *upuc[i/a] ˈupuka ˈipita *j[u]pit[i]*jipiTi
older sister *upuca ˈupuka ˈupita *upica *-ipiTa ~ *-upiTa
white *napu napu [CV] *napi *napi
be extinguished*sapu- taˈpu- hapi- *sapi- *sapim-
door *jumasapu ˈimapu ˈimahapi *jumasapi *jimasapi(ne)
~ jimasapu(ne)
shadow *jipu[ru] ipu [CV] ipi [CV] *jipir[u] *jipuru
armpit *jamopu ˈjamapu jamapi [CV] *jamopi *jamopi
go down *nafu- -naw- -nafi- *nafi- *naj-, *now-
banana *tafu kaw *tafi
foot/leg *mawu maw maˈwi *mawi *maji ~ *mawi
star *mawuto ˈmaakɔ ˈmawətɔ *mawito *mawito
child/son *tewu tiˈwi *t[i]wi *tiwi
old *tarawu akaˈraw-tə tarai-ha [CV]*tarawi *tarej
father *witu iku wɔti *witi *-wiT, *-ote
small *j[i/u]wu *jiwi *jiwi
sun *jawu jaw jɔˈwi *jawi *jowe ~ *jowi

Sequence /*ui/ (below) is not affected.

Oneapparent exception to this rule might be explained as onomatopoeic, but even so, /*u/ is fronted in several Asmat varieties (q.v. Drabbe 1963: 224-225, Voorhoeve 1980: 116) and should probably be reconstructed with /*i/:

Asmat-KamoroKamoroSempanAsmat
*u/w_ u *i*u
thunder*wuru wuru *wiri *wuru

A more intractable example …:

Asmat-KamoroKamoroSempan Asmat Voorhoeve
*u/w_ u *u *u
flatulate*pu-m ˈahama pumu*as pu-m*asa pum-

Sequences of high vowels /*iu *ui/ are reduced to /u/ and /i/ respectively in Kamoro and Sempan. Note that the reflexes of /*iu/ differ from those of /*ju/ (above):

Asmat-KamoroKamoro SempanAsmat Voorhoeve
*iu u u *iu *iu
canoe *tiu ku tu *tiu *Tiˈu
*ui i i *ui *ui
smoke *amuini ˈimini ˈamini*amuini *-amini~*amuni
water *mui mi mi *mui *muˈi
bathe *mui- mi- *mui- *mui-
widow/widower*fuisama ˈfiama*fuisam[a]
brain(s) *kuisi iˈti isi *kuisi *kuisi
palm cabbage *wuija wia [CV] *… *ˈwui

Pronouns

[under construction]

Verbal morphology

[under construction]

Asmat-Kamoro languages have a complicated system of verbal desinences which indicate not only subjects but also objects as well as tense, mood and aspect.