East Wambon

Timothy Usher, Santa Fe Institute

Situation

East Wambon, also known as Yonggom Wambon or simply Wambon, is comprised of two closely-related languages or dialects spoken in at least eight villages located west of the Kao river and south of the Murup in the Mandobo and Waropko districts of the Merauke regency of Indonesian's Papua province (Jang 2003: 25-26, q.v. pp. 14, 38.)

De Vries (1986: 9-10, 1992: 1-2) asserts that East Wambon, called Yonggom (a name which more properly refers to varieties of the Muyu languages to the east, hence “Yonggom Wambon”) by the Digul Wambon to the northwest, is a dialect of the latter, but this is not supported by a comparative examination of the materials and is contradicted by both Voorhoeve's (2000: 362) lexicostatistics and Jang's (2003) lexical similarity figures, which show East Wambon to be somewhat more similar to the Mandobo language to the southwest than it is to Digul Wambon.

Subclassification

The internal classification of East Wambon is as follows:

East Wambon

Agayop

Kokenop

This is in accordance with Jang's (2003: 20, 23-26) lexical similarity findings, although we reject the interpretation of these two language varieties as dialects (“sublanguages”) of Mandobo. Jang's designation “Upper Mandobo” more naturally refers to the Wambon dialect of Mandobo, which is spoken along the upper reaches of the Mandobo river (Drabbe 1959: 4,) while most of Jang's villages are somewhat to the northeast. The term Agayop has been adopted in parallel with Kokenop, the terms for “what?” in Wanaktit (Winiktit) and Bukit respectively (q.v. Drabbe 1959: 180-181, Jang 2003: 47.) The appropriateness of this terminology might be debated as the speakers of Wombon village likewise designate their dialect as Agayop, even though Jang's figures place it somewhat closer to the varieties spoken in Bukit and Anyumka than to that spoken in Winiktit (Jang 2003: 24;) however the inhabitants of Wombon state that their dialect is exactly the same as that of Winiktit but somewhat different from that of Bukit and Anyumka (p. 26)

Sources

Stokhof ed. (1982: 129-130) unattributed 44 comparative terms for Uwimerah (observation post) (Kokenop)

Drabbe (1959: 115-…) grammar and (pp. 162-181) 430 comparative terms for Wambon (Agayop) of Waniktit village

Healey (1970) proto Awyu-Dumut

de Vries and de Vries-Wiersma (1992) grammar of Digul-Wambon includes notes on Yonggom-Wambon

de Vries (1986) Wambon relators

Voorhoeve (2000) revision of Healey's proto-Awyu-Dumut

Jang (2003) 239 comparative terms for Kokenop of Bukit village

Wester (2014) Awyu-Dumut comparative morphology including (pp. 195-210) 430 comparative terms for Yonggom Wambon after Drabbe (1959: 162-181)

Historical phonology

[under construction]

Proto-East Wambon had 12 consonants and 5 vowels as follows:

*m *n
*p *t *s *k
*mb *nd *ŋg
*w *j
*i *u
*e *o
*a

Any consonant can occur initially or medially, except for bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ which has been lenited to non-stop /*w/ or lost in these positions and occurs only root-finally.







Initial and medial bilabial nasal /*m/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*m-
drink *mi- mi- mi-
bone *mit mit mit̚
blind *mit mit-pan mit̚-'kɛɾɐn
star/firefly *minduj minduⁱ 'minduj
rain *miɾip mirip mə'lip̚
tendon/vein *met mɛt
hot *mamin mamin 'mɐmin
young *mamaj mamaᵉ mɐ'mɐj
daughter *matip matip
old/traditional*matom mɐ'tom
son *mandup ma:ndup
shoulder/ten *mak mak mɐk̚ mah-
mouth *maŋgot maŋgot mɐŋgot̚
afraid *mop mop̚
eight *mujop mujop̚ mujaᵘ-ge
*-m-
two *iɾumo irumo ɾu'mo
ripe *amu[ɾ/j] amuⁱ
one *om[o]j omaᵉ 'omɔj
hot *mamin mamin 'mɐmin
young *mamaj mamaᵉ mɐ'mɐj
rat *t[e]mon tɛmon
dry *tomap to'mɐp̚
termite *tomaj tomaᵉ
far *komam kamam ko'mɐm
big *komaj kamaᵉ komɐ'j-op̚
thunder/sky *kumut kumut 'kumut̚ ≈ qɐmut'
wrist/six *kumuk kumuk qumup̚ kumuh
inside *wamip 'wɐmip̚
sand *j[a]man jaman d͜ʒɔmɐn

Initial and medial apical nasal /*n/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*n-
*-n-
tooth *inim inim i'nim ɪnim
fire/tree*enop ɛnop ɛ'nɔp̚ ɪnob
tongue *anop anop 'ɐnɔp̚
crocodile*mbanep mbanɛp bɐnɛp̚
red *tenop tɛnop dɛno-'ɢop̚
bow *sinam sinam si'nɐm
cassowary*sanip 'sɐnip̚
sleep *kinum kinum 'qinum
canoe *konoj konoⁱ ko'nɐj

Bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ …:

Initial and medial apical voiceless stop /*t/ …:

East WambonWaniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*t-
banana *tit tit tit̚
rattan/rope *tik tik tik̚
rat *t[e]mon tɛmon
red *tenop tɛnop dɛno-'ɢop̚
leech *teɾen tɛrɛn tɛ'lɛn
yellow *t[e]jan tɛ'jɐn
cuscus *takip tɐ'gip̚
shoot *tajem- taᵉm- tɐm-
dry *tomap to'mɐp̚
termite *tomaj tomaᵉ
go up/above *tuɾu- turu- -tuɾu-
ear *tuɾun-top turutop 'tulutop̚ turutop
hide *tuɾuk- turuk-oa-
*-t-
cassowary *itit itit
three *iti[t]-mo itipmo ɛ'tippo
earth/ground *itop itop i'top̚'
see *etok- ɛto- ɛ'toɢ-
bite *atik- atigo- ɐtiŋg-
daughter *matip matip
old/traditional*matom mɐ'tom
house *mbitip mbitip bi'tip̚
hand/arm *mbitit bitit̚ bɪdit
night *kitip ki'tip̚
thigh *kitup kitup 'kitop̚ kɪtup
saliva/spittle *katet katɛt
sweat *kotet kotɛt
skin/bark *kotaj kotaᵉ ko'tɐj
many *kutok kutok ɢutok̚
urine *jetok jɛtok æ'tɔk̚
upper arm/nine *jawet jawɛt 'jɐwɛt̚ jawir-

Laminal voiceless /*s/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*s-
bow *sinam sinam si'nɐm
near *s[e]ndik sindik sɛn'dik̚
sun *s[e/a]t sat sɛt̚
cassowary*sanip 'sɐnip̚
wife *saɾip sarip nɛ-'sɐlip
cold *saɾu[n] saruⁱ 'sɐlun
dig *so- so-
paddle *sukujan sugujaŋ 'sugujɐn
*-s-
ashes *kosep kosɛp qo'sɛp̚
bandicoot*kosot ko'sɔt̚

Initial and medial velar voiceless stop /*k/ …:

East Wambon WaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*k-
bathe *kim- kim- -qim-
die *kim- kim- kim-
sleep *kinum kinum 'qinum
night *kitip ki'tip̚
thigh *kitup kitup 'kitop̚ kɪtup
wind *kiwuɾ kiwuⁱ 'kiwujt
flower *ket ket
eye *keɾop kerop 'kɛɾop̚
worm *kambot ɢɐm'bot̚
outside *kat kat qɐt
saliva/spittle *katet katɛt
flesh *kandu[n] kɐn'dun
man/person *kakup kagup kɐ'gup̚
heavy *kakun kagun
nose *kaɾit kɐ'rit̚ karip
enough *kaɾe karɛ
walk/go *ko- ko- ko-
far *komam kamam ko'mɐm
big *komaj kamaᵉ komɐ'j-op̚
husband *kop-mbaɾi[n]kop parinɐ-ko'pɐlin
canoe *konoj konoⁱ ko'nɐj
sweat *kotet kotɛt
skin/bark *kotaj kotaᵉ ko'tɐj
foot/leg *kondok kondok 'kondɔk̚ konak
ashes *kosep kosɛp qo'sɛp̚
bandicoot *kosot ko'sɔt̚
now/today *kowandut kowandutɢo'ɐndut̚
tell *komaj kamaᵉ
thunder/sky *kumut kumut 'kumut̚ ≈ qɐmut'
wrist/six *kumuk kumuk qumup̚ kumuh
many *kutok kutok ɢutok̚
fence/wall *kuk kuk kug-
index finger/four*kuɾukut kurugut 'kulugut koregor-
evil/sharp *kujom kujom qu'jɔm
*-k-
bamboo *ekop ɛgop ɛ'gop̚
swallow *akum[o]- agumo-
cuscus *takip tɐ'gip̚
paddle *sukujan sugujaŋ 'sugujɐn
man/person *kakup kagup kɐ'gup̚
heavy *kakun kagun
index finger/four*kuɾukut kurugut 'kulugut koregor-
egg *wakot wagot 'wɐɢot̚
moon *wakoɾ wogoⁱ 'wɐɢoj
fish *ɾakaj ragaᵉ lɐ'gɐj
speak *ɾoko- rogo- lo'ɢo-
garden *jakip jagip

Bilabial prenasalized stop /*mb/ …:

East WambonWaniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*mb-
shin *mbin mbin
house *mbitip mbitip bi'tip̚
hand/arm *mbitit bitit̚ bɪdit
forearm/seven*mben mbɛn bɛn
small *mbeɾon mbɛron
sit *mba- mba- 'bɐ-
crocodile *mbanep mbanɛp bɐnɛp̚
old (person) *mbaɾi[n] mbari 'bɐɬin
lip(s) *mbaɾaŋgat mbaraŋgatbɐɾɐŋgɐt̚
kunai grass *mbup mbup bup̚
wing *mbuɾu[n] mburuⁱ buɾun
*-mb-
scabies/tinea*iɾombut irombut
laughter *amben ɐm'bɛn
thumb/five *ambuɾop ɐmbɐ'lop̚amboraᵘ
worm *kambot ɢɐm'bot̚
elbow/eight *ŋgambim ŋgambim gɐmbim
neck *ŋgomben ŋgombɛn
incorrect *ŋgomban ŋgamban
tail *wambit wambit 'wɐmbit̚

Apical prenasalized stop /*nd/ …:

East WambonWaniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*nd-
root *ndit ndit
hear *ndat- ndat- dɐ'ɾ-
fence *ndaɾa[t] dɐ'lɐt̚
not/nothing *ndoj ndoⁱ ⁿdɔj
island *ndum ndum
sago *ndu[n] ndun dun
*-nd-
deaf *indom indomaran-ⁿdomɔp̚
enemy *endom ɛndom
body *andi[n] 'ɐndin
eat (fut.) *ande- andɛ- ɐn'd̪ɛ-
tie/bind *andap- andap- ɐndoʔ- (?)
star/firefly*minduj minduⁱ 'minduj
son *mandup ma:ndup
near *s[e]ndik sindik sɛn'dik̚
flesh *kandu[n] kɐn'dun
foot/leg *kondok kondok 'kondɔk̚ konak
now/today *kowandut kowandut ɢo'ɐndut̚
path *jandit 'jɐndit̚

Velar prenasalized stop /*ŋg/ …:

East WambonWaniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*ŋg-
head *ŋgin ŋgin ᵑgin kɪn
elbow/eight*ŋgambim ŋgambim gɐmbim
blood *ŋgom ŋgom ngɔm
arrow *ŋgop ŋgop ɢɔp̚
neck *ŋgomben ŋgombɛn
incorrect *ŋgomban ŋgamban
blunt/dull *ŋgon ŋgoŋ ɢɔn
knowledge *ŋgoɾop ŋgorop-mo-ɢo'ɾɔp̚
louse *ŋgut ŋgut ɢut̚
long/tall *ŋguɾup ŋgurup 'ɢulup̚ ≈ ɢu'lup̚
*-ŋg-
dog *aŋgaj aŋgaᵉ ɐŋ'gɐj
thumb/five *aŋgu aŋgu
snake *aŋgun aŋgun ɐŋ'gun
mouth *maŋgot maŋgot mɐŋgot̚
lip(s) *mbaɾaŋgat mbaraŋgat bɐɾɐŋgɐt̚

Bilabial non-stop /*w/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*w-
arm/hand *wit wit
inside *wamip 'wɐmip̚
tail *wambit wambit 'wɐmbit̚
left *wak wɐq̚
bamboo knife *waki[n] waki 'wɐgin
egg *wakot wagot 'wɐɢot̚
moon *wakoɾ wogoⁱ 'wɐɢoj
*-w-
wind *kiwuɾ kiwuⁱ 'kiwujt
now/today *kowandut kowandutɢo'ɐndut̚
upper arm/nine*jawet jawɛt 'jɐwɛt̚ jawir-

Initial and medial apical non-stop /*ɾ/ …:

East WambonWaniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*ɾ-
take *ɾap- rap-
woman *ɾan ran lan
fish *ɾakaj ragaᵉ lɐ'gɐj
cry/weep *ɾom- rom- lom-
fruit/seed *ɾop rop lɔp̚
hair/leaf/feather*ɾon ron lɔn ≈ lon ron
speak *ɾoko- rogo- lo'ɢo-
voice/speech *ɾuk ruk luk̚
*-ɾ-
stone *iɾop irop iɾop̚
scabies/tinea *iɾombut irombut
two *iɾumo irumo ɾu'mo
thumb/five *ambuɾop ɐmbɐ'lop̚ amboraᵘ
thorn *aɾin arin ɐ'ɾin
liver *aɾum ahum [sic]ɐlum
rain *miɾip mirip mə'lip̚
small *mbeɾon mbɛron
old (person) *mbaɾi[n] mbari 'bɐɬin
lip(s) *mbaɾaŋgat mbaraŋgat bɐɾɐŋgɐt̚
wing *mbuɾu[n] mburuⁱ buɾun
leech *teɾen tɛrɛn tɛ'lɛn
go up/above *tuɾu- turu- -tuɾu-
ear *tuɾun-top turutop 'tulutop̚ turutop
ear *tuɾun-top turutop 'tulutop̚ turutop
hide *tuɾuk- turuk-oa-
wife *saɾip sarip nɛ-'sɐlip
eye *keɾop kerop 'kɛɾop̚
nose *kaɾit kɐ'rit̚ karip
enough *kaɾe karɛ
index finger/four*kuɾukut kurugut 'kulugut koregor-
knowledge *ŋgoɾop ŋgorop-mo-ɢo'ɾɔp̚
long/tall *ŋguɾup ŋgurup 'ɢulup̚ ≈ ɢu'lup̚
smoke *jaɾuk uruk -jɐluk̚

Initial and medial palatal non-stop /*j/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*j-
bird *jet jɛt 'ɛt̚
urine *jetok jɛtok æ'tɔk̚
sand *j[a]man jaman d͜ʒɔmɐn
path *jandit 'jɐndit̚
garden *jakip jagip
upper arm/nine*jawet jawɛt 'jɐwɛt̚ jawir-
smoke *jaɾuk uruk -jɐluk̚
*-j-
cough/phlegm *ajak ajak ɐjɐk̚
eight *mujop mujop̚ mujaᵘ-ge
yellow *t[e]jan tɛ'jɐn
paddle *sukujan sugujaŋ 'sugujɐn
evil/sharp *kujom kujom qu'jɔm

Final consonants …

Final bilabial nasal /*m/ …:

East WambonWaniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*-m
tooth *inim inim i'nim ɪnim
deaf *indom indomaran -ⁿdomɔp̚
enemy *endom ɛndom
liver *aɾum ahum [sic] ɐlum
breast *om om ɔm aᵘm
old/traditional*matom mɐ'tom
shoot *tajem- taᵉm- tɐm-
island *ndum ndum
bow *sinam sinam si'nɐm
bathe *kim- kim- -qim-
die *kim- kim- kim-
sleep *kinum kinum 'qinum
far *komam kamam ko'mɐm
evil/sharp *kujom kujom qu'jɔm
elbow/eight *ŋgambim ŋgambim ≈
ŋgambin
gɐmbim
blood *ŋgom ŋgom ngɔm
cry/weep *ɾom- rom- lom-

Final apical nasal /*n/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*-n
hit/kill *in- in-
eat *en- ɛn-
laughter *amben ɐm'bɛn
snake *aŋgun aŋgun ɐŋ'gun
thorn *aɾin arin ɐ'ɾin
hot *mamin mamin 'mɐmin
shin *mbin mbin
forearm/seven *mben mbɛn bɛn
small *mbeɾon mbɛron
rat *t[e]mon tɛmon
leech *teɾen tɛrɛn tɛ'lɛn
yellow *t[e]jan tɛ'jɐn
paddle *sukujan sugujaŋ 'sugujɐn
heavy *kakun kagun
head *ŋgin ŋgin ᵑgin kin
neck *ŋgomben ŋgombɛn
incorrect *ŋgomban ŋgamban
blunt/dull *ŋgon ŋgoŋ ɢɔn
woman *ɾan ran lan
hair/leaf/feather*ɾon ron lɔn ≈ lonron
sand *j[a]man jaman d͜ʒɔmɐn

Final bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ …:

East WambonWaniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*-p
name *ip ip ip̚'
right *ip ip̚'
earth/ground*itop itop i'top̚'
stone *iɾop irop iɾop̚
bamboo *ekop ɛgop ɛ'gop̚
thumb/five *ambuɾop ɐmbɐ'lop̚ amboraᵘ (?)
tongue *anop anop 'ɐnɔp̚
rain *miɾip mirip mə'lip̚
daughter *matip matip
son *mandup ma:ndup
afraid *mop mop̚
eight *mujop mujop̚ mujaᵘ-ge
house *mbitip mbitip bi'tip̚
crocodile *mbanep mbanɛp bɐnɛp̚
kunai grass *mbup mbup bup̚
cuscus *takip tɐ'gip̚
dry *tomap to'mɐp̚
ear *tuɾun-top turutop 'tulutop̚ turutop
cassowary *sanip 'sɐnip̚
wife *saɾip sarip nɛ-'sɐlip
night *kitip ki'tip̚
thigh *kitup kitup 'kitop̚ kɪtup
eye *keɾop kerop 'kɛɾop̚
man/person *kakup kagup kɐ'gup̚
ashes *kosep kosɛp qo'sɛp̚
arrow *ŋgop ŋgop ɢɔp̚
knowledge *ŋgoɾop ŋgorop-mo-ɢo'ɾɔp̚
long/tall *ŋguɾup ŋgurup 'ɢulup̚ ≈ ɢu'lup̚
inside *wamip 'wɐmip̚
take *ɾap- rap-
fruit/seed *ɾop rop lɔp̚
garden *jakip jagip

… root-final /*p/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*-p
tie/bind*andap- andap- ɐndoʔ- (?)

Final apical voiceless stop /*t/ …:

East WambonWaniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*-t
cassowary *itit itit
scabies/tinea *iɾombut irombut
bone *mit mit mit̚
blind *mit mit-pan mit̚-'kɛɾɐn
tendon/vein *met mɛt
mouth *maŋgot maŋgot mɐŋgot̚
hand/arm *mbitit bitit̚ bɪdit
lip(s) *mbaɾaŋgat mbaraŋgatbɐɾɐŋgɐt̚
banana *tit tit tit̚
root *ndit ndit
fence *ndaɾa[t] dɐ'lɐt̚
sun *s[e/a]t sat sɛt̚
flower *ket ket
worm *kambot ɢɐm'bot̚
outside *kat kat qɐt
saliva/spittle *katet katɛt
nose *kaɾit kɐ'rit̚ karip
sweat *kotet kotɛt
bandicoot *kosot ko'sɔt̚
now/today *kowandut kowandut ɢo'ɐndut̚
thunder/sky *kumut kumut 'kumut̚ ≈ qɐmut'
index finger/four*kuɾukut kurugut 'kulugut koregor- (?)
louse *ŋgut ŋgut ɢut̚
arm/hand *wit wit
tail *wambit wambit 'wɐmbit̚
egg *wakot wagot 'wɐɢot̚
bird *jet jɛt 'ɛt̚
path *jandit 'jɐndit̚

… root-final /*t/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukitUwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*-t
hear*ndat- ndat- dɐ'ɾ-

Final velar voiceless stop /*k/ …:

East WambonWaniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*-k
see *etok- ɛto- (?) ɛ'toɢ-
cough/phlegm*ajak ajak ɐjɐk̚
water *ok ok og̚
shoulder/ten*mak mak mɐk̚ mah- (?)
rattan/rope *tik tik tik̚
hide *tuɾuk- turuk-oa-
near *s[e]ndik sindik sɛn'dik̚
foot/leg *kondok kondok 'kondɔk̚ konak
wrist/six *kumuk kumuk qumup̚ (?)kumuh (?)
many *kutok kutok ɢutok̚
fence/wall *kuk kuk kug-
left *wak wɐq̚
voice/speech*ɾuk ruk luk̚
urine *jetok jɛtok æ'tɔk̚
smoke *jaɾuk uruk -jɐluk̚

Final apical non-stop /*ɾ/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*-ɾ
excrement*oɾ oⁱ ɔjt̚ ≈ ɔj
pig *uɾ uⁱ uj ui
wind *kiwuɾ kiwuⁱ 'kiwujt
moon *wakoɾ wogoⁱ 'wɐɢoj

When final /*ɾ/ …

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*-ɾ
body *andi[n] 'ɐndin
old (person)*mbaɾi[n] mbari 'bɐɬin
wing *mbuɾu[n] mburuⁱ buɾun
sago *ndu[n] ndun dun
flesh *kandu[n] kɐn'dun

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*…
cold *saɾu[n] saruⁱ 'sɐlun
bamboo knife*waki[n] waki 'wɐgin

Final palatal non-stop /*j/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*-j
dog *aŋgaj aŋgaᵉ ɐŋ'gɐj
one *om[o]j omaᵉ 'omɔj
star/firefly*minduj minduⁱ 'minduj
young *mamaj mamaᵉ mɐ'mɐj
termite *tomaj tomaᵉ
not/nothing *ndoj ndoⁱ ⁿdɔj
big *komaj kamaᵉ komɐ'j-op̚
canoe *konoj konoⁱ ko'nɐj
skin/bark *kotaj kotaᵉ ko'tɐj
fish *ɾakaj ragaᵉ lɐ'gɐj

Vowels …

High front vowel /*i/ …

East Wambon Waniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*i
hit/kill (fut.)*i- i-
drink *mi- mi- mi-
name *ip ip ip̚'
right *ip ip̚'
hit/kill *in- in-
bone *mit mit mit̚
blind *mit mit-pan mit̚-'kɛɾɐn
shin *mbin mbin
banana *tit tit tit̚
rattan/rope *tik tik tik̚
root *ndit ndit
bathe *kim- kim- -qim-
die *kim- kim- kim-
head *ŋgin ŋgin ᵑgin kɪn
arm/hand *wit wit
tooth *inim inim i'nim ɪnim
cassowary *itit itit
rain *miɾip mirip mə'lip̚
house *mbitip mbitip bi'tip̚
hand/arm *mbitit bitit̚ bɪdit
night *kitip ki'tip̚
star/firefly *minduj minduⁱ 'minduj
sleep *kinum kinum 'qinum
thigh *kitup kitup 'kitop̚ kɪtup
wind *kiwuɾ kiwuⁱ 'kiwujt
two *iɾumo irumo ɾu'mo
earth/ground *itop itop i'top̚'
deaf *indom indomaran-ⁿdomɔp̚
stone *iɾop irop iɾop̚
three *iti[t]-mo itipmo ɛ'tippo
scabies/tinea *iɾombut irombut
bow *sinam sinam si'nɐm
near *s[e]ndik sindik sɛn'dik̚
bite *atik- atigo- ɐtiŋg-
body *andi[n] 'ɐndin
thorn *aɾin arin ɐ'ɾin
hot *mamin mamin 'mɐmin
daughter *matip matip
old (person) *mbaɾi[n] mbari 'bɐɬin
cuscus *takip tɐ'gip̚
cassowary *sanip 'sɐnip̚
wife *saɾip sarip nɛ-'sɐlip
nose *kaɾit kɐ'rit̚ karip
elbow/eight *ŋgambim ŋgambim gɐmbim
inside *wamip 'wɐmip̚
tail *wambit wambit 'wɐmbit̚
path *jandit 'jɐndit̚
garden *jakip jagip
husband *kop-mbaɾi[n]kop pari nɐ-ko'pɐlin

High back vowel /*u/ …:

East WambonWaniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*u
pig *uɾ uⁱ uj ui
kunai grass *mbup mbup bup̚
island *ndum ndum
sago *ndu[n] ndun dun
fence/wall *kuk kuk kug-
louse *ŋgut ŋgut ɢut̚
voice/speech *ɾuk ruk luk̚
go up/above *tuɾu- turu- -tuɾu-
hide *tuɾuk- turuk-oa-
wing *mbuɾu[n] mburuⁱ buɾun
thunder/sky *kumut kumut 'kumut̚ ≈ qɐmut'
wrist/six *kumuk kumuk qumup̚ kumuh
long/tall *ŋguɾup ŋgurup 'ɢulup̚ ≈ ɢu'lup̚
index finger/four*kuɾukut kurugut 'kulugut koregor-
paddle *sukujan sugujaŋ 'sugujɐn
eight *mujop mujop̚ mujaᵘ-ge
many *kutok kutok ɢutok̚
evil/sharp *kujom kujom qu'jɔm
ear *tuɾun-top turutop 'tulutop̚ turutop
star/firefly *minduj minduⁱ 'minduj
sleep *kinum kinum 'qinum
thigh *kitup kitup 'kitop̚ kɪtup
wind *kiwuɾ kiwuⁱ 'kiwujt
two *iɾumo irumo ɾu'mo
scabies/tinea *iɾombut irombut
thumb/five *aŋgu aŋgu
ripe *amu[ɾ/j] amuⁱ
snake *aŋgun aŋgun ɐŋ'gun
liver *aɾum ahum [sic]ɐlum
son *mandup ma:ndup
cold *saɾu[n] saruⁱ 'sɐlun
flesh *kandu[n] kɐn'dun
man/person *kakup kagup kɐ'gup̚
heavy *kakun kagun
smoke *jaɾuk uruk -jɐluk̚
swallow *akum[o]- agumo-
thumb/five *ambuɾop ɐmbɐ'lop̚ amboraᵘ (?)
now/today *kowandut kowandut ɢo'ɐndut̚

Mid front vowel /*e/ …:

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*e
eat *en- ɛn-
tendon/vein *met mɛt
forearm/seven *mben mbɛn bɛn
flower *ket ket
bird *jet jɛt 'ɛt̚
leech *teɾen tɛrɛn tɛ'lɛn
fire/tree *enop ɛnop ɛ'nɔp̚ ɪnob
see *etok- ɛto- ɛ'toɢ-
enemy *endom ɛndom
bamboo *ekop ɛgop ɛ'gop̚
small *mbeɾon mbɛron
rat *t[e]mon tɛmon
eye *keɾop kerop 'kɛɾop̚
urine *jetok jɛtok æ'tɔk̚
yellow *t[e]jan tɛ'jɐn
sweat *kotet kotɛt
ashes *kosep kosɛp qo'sɛp̚
neck *ŋgomben ŋgombɛn
eat (fut.) *ande- andɛ- ɐn'd̪ɛ-
enough *kaɾe karɛ
laughter *amben ɐm'bɛn
crocodile *mbanep mbanɛp bɐnɛp̚
saliva/spittle*katet katɛt
upper arm/nine*jawet jawɛt 'jɐwɛt̚jawir- (?)

Mid back vowel /*o/ …:

East Wambon Waniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*o
dig *so- so-
walk/go *ko- ko- ko-
breast *om om ɔm aᵘm
water *ok ok og̚
excrement *oɾ oⁱ ɔjt̚ ≈ ɔj
afraid *mop mop̚
not/nothing *ndoj ndoⁱ ⁿdɔj
blood *ŋgom ŋgom ngɔm
arrow *ŋgop ŋgop ɢɔp̚
blunt/dull *ŋgon ŋgoŋ ɢɔn
cry/weep *ɾom- rom- lom-
fruit/seed *ɾop rop lɔp̚
hair/leaf/feather*ɾon ron lɔn ≈ lon ron
speak *ɾoko- rogo- lo'ɢo-
one *om[o]j omaᵉ (?) 'omɔj
canoe *konoj konoⁱ ko'nɐj (?)
bandicoot *kosot ko'sɔt̚
foot/leg *kondok kondok 'kondɔk̚ konak
knowledge *ŋgoɾop ŋgorop-mo-ɢo'ɾɔp̚
sweat *kotet kotɛt
ashes *kosep kosɛp qo'sɛp̚
neck *ŋgomben ŋgombɛn
dry *tomap to'mɐp̚
termite *tomaj tomaᵉ
skin/bark *kotaj kotaᵉ ko'tɐj
husband *kop-mbaɾi[n]kop pari nɐ-ko'pɐlin
now/today *kowandut kowandut ɢo'ɐndut̚
earth/ground *itop itop i'top̚'
deaf *indom indomaran -ⁿdomɔp̚
stone *iɾop irop iɾop̚
three *iti[t]-mo itipmo ɛ'tippo
scabies/tinea *iɾombut irombut
eight *mujop mujop̚ mujaᵘ-ge
many *kutok kutok ɢutok̚
evil/sharp *kujom kujom qu'jɔm
ear *tuɾun-top turutop 'tulutop̚ turutop
two *iɾumo irumo ɾu'mo
thumb/five *ambuɾop ɐmbɐ'lop̚ amboraᵘ
fire/tree *enop ɛnop ɛ'nɔp̚ ɪnob
see *etok- ɛto- ɛ'toɢ-
enemy *endom ɛndom
bamboo *ekop ɛgop ɛ'gop̚
small *mbeɾon mbɛron
rat *t[e]mon tɛmon
eye *keɾop kerop 'kɛɾop̚
urine *jetok jɛtok æ'tɔk̚
tongue *anop anop 'ɐnɔp̚
old/traditional *matom mɐ'tom
mouth *maŋgot maŋgot mɐŋgot̚
worm *kambot ɢɐm'bot̚
egg *wakot wagot 'wɐɢot̚
moon *wakoɾ wogoⁱ 'wɐɢoj

In several examples in which /*o/ is followed by low central vowel /*a/ in the next syllable, it is given as /a/ in Drabbe's Wambon of Wanaktit; however this is not exceptionless (cf. /*kotaj/ “skin” above):

East WambonWaniktitBukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*o/_Ca
far *komam kamam ko'mɐm
big *komaj kamaᵉ komɐ'j-op̚
incorrect*ŋgomban ŋgamban

Low central vowel /*a/ …:

East Wambon Waniktit Bukit Uwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*a
sit *mba- mba- 'bɐ-
shoulder/ten *mak mak mɐk̚ mah-
hear *ndat- ndat- dɐ'ɾ-
outside *kat kat qɐt
left *wak wɐq̚
take *ɾap- rap-
woman *ɾan ran lan
tie/bind *andap- andap- ɐndoʔ- (?)
dog *aŋgaj aŋga* ɐŋ'gɐj
cough/phlegm *ajak ajak ɐjɐk̚
young *mamaj mamaᵉ mɐ'mɐj
fence *ndaɾa[t] dɐ'lɐt̚
fish *ɾakaj ragaᵉ lɐ'gɐj
sand *j[a]man ok jaman og-'d͜ʒɔmɐn (?)
lip(s) *mbaɾaŋgat mbaraŋgat bɐɾɐŋgɐt̚
bite *atik- atigo- ɐtiŋg-
body *andi[n] 'ɐndin
thorn *aɾin arin ɐ'ɾin
hot *mamin mamin 'mɐmin
daughter *matip matip
old (person) *mbaɾi[n] mbari 'bɐɬin
cuscus *takip tɐ'gip̚
cassowary *sanip 'sɐnip̚
wife *saɾip sarip nɛ-'sɐlip
nose *kaɾit kɐ'rit̚ karip
elbow/eight *ŋgambim ŋgambim gɐmbim
inside *wamip 'wɐmip̚
tail *wambit wambit 'wɐmbit̚
path *jandit 'jɐndit̚
garden *jakip jagip
thumb/five *aŋgu aŋgu
ripe *amu[ɾ/j] amuⁱ
snake *aŋgun aŋgun ɐŋ'gun
liver *aɾum ahum [sic]ɐlum
son *mandup ma:ndup
cold *saɾu[n] saruⁱ 'sɐlun
flesh *kandu[n] kɐn'dun
man/person *kakup kagup kɐ'gup̚
heavy *kakun kagun
smoke *jaɾuk uruk (?) -jɐluk̚
swallow *akum[o]- agumo-
thumb/five *ambuɾop ɐmbɐ'lop̚ amboraᵘ
eat (fut.) *ande- andɛ- ɐn'd̪ɛ-
enough *kaɾe karɛ
laughter *amben ɐm'bɛn
crocodile *mbanep mbanɛp bɐnɛp̚
shoot *tajem- taᵉm- tɐm-
saliva/spittle *katet katɛt
upper arm/nine *jawet jawɛt 'jɐwɛt̚ jawir-
tongue *anop anop 'ɐnɔp̚
old/traditional*matom mɐ'tom
mouth *maŋgot maŋgot mɐŋgot̚
worm *kambot ɢɐm'bot̚
egg *wakot wagot 'wɐɢot̚
moon *wakoɾ wogoⁱ 'wɐɢoj
bow *sinam sinam si'nɐm
paddle *sukujan sugujaŋ 'sugujɐn
yellow *t[e]jan tɛ'jɐn
dry *tomap to'mɐp̚
termite *tomaj tomaᵉ
far *komam kamam ko'mɐm
big *komaj kamaᵉ komɐ'j-op̚
skin/bark *kotaj kotaᵉ ko'tɐj
incorrect *ŋgomban ŋgamban
husband *kop-mbaɾi[n]kop pari nɐ-ko'pɐlin
now/today *kowandut kowandut ɢo'ɐndut̚

East WambonWaniktitBukitUwimerah
Drabbe Jang Holle
*…

Pronouns

[under construction]

East WambonWaniktitBukit
Drabbe Jang
1 sg. nup nuk̚
2 sg. ŋgup ɢup̚
3 sg. jup ɟuk̚
1 pl. naŋgup nɐp̚
2 pl. ŋgaŋgup ɛwɛŋ'gap̚
3 pl. jaŋgup jp̚

East WambonWaniktit
Drabbe
1 sg. na
2 sg. ŋgo
3 sg. ja
1 pl. naŋgo
2 pl. ŋgaŋgo
3 pl. jaŋgo

Verbal morphology

[under construction]


Counting system

[under construction]

East Wambon has a body-part counting system of the type characteristic of the central west New Guinea region, in which, excepting one, two, and three, the term for the number is generally the same as that for the body part which is touched during tallying. Counting begins from the left pinkie at one, proceeding to the thumb and then up the left side of the body until reaching the top of the head, then proceeding downward on the right side of the body as follows (q.v. Drabbe 1959: 125-126):

left sideright side
[pinkie] 1 27
[ring finger] 2 26
[middle finger]3 25
index finger 4 24
thumb 5 23
wrist (pulse) 6 22
forearm 7 21
elbow 8 20
upper arm 9 19
shoulder 10 18
side of neck 11 17
ear 12 16
temple 13 15
top of skull 14

Loans from neighboring languages

[under construction]

The most significant differences between Agayop and Kokenop are lexical, with Agayop sometimes sharing a word with Mandobo to the southwest where Kokenop shares one with Digul Wambon to the northwest:

Mandobo WaniktitBukit UwimerahNorth Wambon
Drabbe Jang Holle
cassowary *itit itit 'sɐnip̚ *sanip
thumb/five*aŋgʷo̞ aŋgu ɐmbɐ'lop̚amboraᵘ *ambaɾop
eight *ŋgambumŋgambim mujop̚ mujaᵘ-ge*mujop

… loans from Lowland Ok: