Wambon

Timothy Usher, Santa Fe Institute

Situation

Wambon, also known as Dumut, consists of anywhere from three to nine closely-related languages spoken mostly east of the Digul river and west of the Kao river in Indonesia's Papua province, somewhat to the west of the the Papua New Guinea border, with a small enclave just across the Fly River in Papua New Guinea's Western province.

There are several reasons why we use the term Wambon rather than Dumut to refer to this family. Dumut is the native word for the Mandobo river, which isn't geographically representative of the region as a whole. Drabbe (1959) called all of these Awyu languages in distinction to Kati (i.e. Muyu of the Lowland Ok family,) using Dumut to refer only to varieties of Mandobo. The designation Dumut was extended northward by Healey (1970) to include Drabbe's Wambon of Waniktit village (i.e. Agayop) in contrast to the Awyu languages west of the Digul, and then by Voorhoeve (2000) to include de Vries' (1986, 1989, 1992) Digul Wambon (North Wambon,) becoming less and less appropriate with each extension. In contrast, the term Wambon has been used to refer to at least some portions of all three languages, and according to Jang (2003: 24 after Farneubun 2002) “people in Mandobo language region insist that their language is part of the Wambon languages.” As the name of an ethnic group, the use of Wambon is parallel to the use of Awyu.

The southern Wambon languages have been significantly influenced by the languages of the Lowland Ok family immediately to the east, while North Wambon has borrowed a number of terms from the Central Ok languages to the north.

Subclassification

The internal classification of Wambon is as follows:

Wambon

North Wambon

Ketum

Kenon-Kenyam

Kenon

Kenyam

South and East Wambon

East Wambon

Agayop

Kokenop

Mandobo

Upper Mandobo

Central Mandobo

Mariam Mandobo

As no Kenyam or Mariam Mandobo data is currently available to us, their independence and placement are based upon the lexical similarity figures presented in Jang (2003: 19-27.)

De Vries and de Vries-Wiersma (1992: 79) assert that North Wambon and Yonggom Wambon (i.e. East Wambon) are viewed by their speakers as dialects of a single language, but the lexicostatistical figure presented at 47% does not support this, nor does Voorhoeve's (2000: 362) figure of 50% vs. 62% for Yonggom Wambon and Mandobo (below.)

Voorhoeve (2000: 362) provides lexicostatistical figures for Dumut as follows:

Digul Yonggom Mandobo
Digul 50 51
Yonggom 50 62
Mandobo 51 62

(Digul = Kenon, Yonggom = Agayop, Mandobo = Kaeti)

Healey (1970: 1009) :provides a substantially higher figure of 77% between Yonggom Wambon and Mandobo.

Sources

Drabbe (1954: 211- 214) grammar sketch of Oàmbon of Anggimòp village and Runggoanjàp and (pp. 214-229) 419 comparative terms and (pp. 231-255) 100 comparative terms for Oàmbon Dumùt (Upper Mandobo)

Drabbe (1959) grammar and (pp. 162-181) 430 comparative terms for Kaeti (Central Mandobo) and Wambon (Agayop) of Waniktit village

Healey (1970) proto Awyu-Dumut

Stokhof ed. (1982) Holle vocabularies with (pp. 120-121) 71 comparative terms for Upper Uwimerah [sic]/Upper Digul (North Wambon, possibly Kenyam,) (pp. 129-130) 44 comparative terms for Uwimerah (observation post) (Kokenop) and (pp. 141-150) 429 comparative terms for Digul Mandobo (Upper Mandobo) after van Doorn

de Vries (1986) Wambon relators

de Vries (1989) Wambon and Korowai (unobtained)

de Vries and de Vries-Wiersma (1992) grammar of Digul Wambon (Kenon) of Sawagit village

de Vries (1994) Awyu (i.e. Central Digul River) number systems

de Vries (2010) Dumut conjoined clauses

de Vries, Wester and van den Heuvel (2012) Greater Awyu (Digul River) comparative pronouns and verbal morphology

Voorhoeve (2000) revision of Healey's (1970) Awyu-Dumut, including (pp. 372-381) 108 reconstructed terms

Farneubun (2002) Central Digul survey (unobtained)

Farneubun (2002) Mandobo survey (unobtained)

Jang (2003: 39-47) 239 comparative terms for Ketum of Ater village, Kenon of Klofkamp and Kokenop of Bukit

Jang (2007) phonology of Kenon-Wambon of Manggelum village

Jang (2008) grammar of (Kenon) Wambon of Klopkam (Klofkamp) and Manggelum villages

Jang and Jang (2008) dictionary of (Kenon) Wambon

Jang and Jang (2009) orthography of (Kenon) Wambon

Hughes (2009: 27-37) 239 comparative terms for (Kenon) Wambon of Manggelum

Lebold, Kriens and Susanto (2013: 36-47) 239 comparative terms for (Central) Mandobo of Kaisah village and (pp. 48-50) 60 comparative terms for Subur and Aiwat

Wester (2014) Awyu-Dumut comparative morphology including (pp. 195-210) 430 comparative terms for (Kaeti) Mandobo, and Yonggom Wambon (Agayop) after Drabbe (1959: 162-181) and for Digul Wambon (Kenon) after Jang (p.c.)

History of classification

[under construction]

Historical phonology

[under construction]

The presentation which follows is inevitably deeply indebted to the reconstruction presented in Healey (1970.)

Proto-Wambon had 15 consonants and 9 vowels as follows:

*m *n
*p *t *s *k *kʷ
*mb *nd *ndz *ŋg *ŋgʷ
*w *j
*i *u
*e̝ *ɵ̝ *o̝
*a



Only a restricted subset of consonants occurs finally:

*m *n
*p *t *k [*kʷ]
*j



The most intractable uncertainty in the reconstruction of vowels is the distinction between low back /*ɒ/, which yields low central [a] in Mandobo, and low mid back rounded /*ɔ/ which is retained as such. That these were distinct is mandated by the contrast between /*ɔk/ “water” on the one hand and /*ɒm/ “breast”, /*ɒɾ/ “excrement” on the other. However there are many examples in which reflexes differ between Mandobo varieties, as well as some which lack attestations in Mandobo, thus are ambiguous between /*ɒ *ɔ/.



Healey (1970: 1002-1005) gives 12 consonants and 8 vowels for proto-Dumut in original transcription as follows:

*m *n
*p *t *s *k
*b *d *g
*w *r *y
*i *u
*e *o
*a

Healey specifies <ü ö> as high front rounded and mid central rounded vowels respectively.

Voorhoeve (2000: 366-369) expands Healey's inventory to 13 consonants to account for de Vries' Digul Wambon, confirming the existence of Wambon /*p/ in non-final position and tentatively adding laminal voiced affricate /*dʒ/, but the reconstrution is otherwise basically identical save for a few added comparisons and the inclusion of North Wambon reflexes.

The most significant differences between these reconstructions and that presented here are, first, the recognition of rounded velar stops /*kʷ *ŋgʷ/, which are uncommon and sometimes discernible only through their effects upon neighboring vowels but correspond to rounded velars in other families, and, more sweepingly, the rearrangement of Healey's vowel qualities, which deserves further explanation: The first difference is that front mid-vowels /*e̝ *ɛ/ are distinguished, as they are in Awyu as well as North Digul River and Mountain Ok; this distinction is neutralized in most descendants, so would not have been obvious to either Healey or Voorhoeve, but is visible in the details of Mandobo dialect reflexes and supported by outcomparison to the aformentioned groups. The second is the reinterpretation of Healey's high central rounded vowel <ü> as high back rounded /*u/, which undergoes fronting across a very large portion of southwest New Guinea, excepting only the margins of the fronting region, namely Mandobo and South Awyu. Concomitantly, Healey's <u> are reinterpreted as high mid, low mid and low back rounded /*o̝ *ɔ *ɒ/ respectively.

To Healey's (1970: 1003) inventory of finals we add /*ɾ/, of which the North Wambon reflex is /t/ rather than /j/. Healey had no way of discerning this because finals /*ɾ *j/ have merged in East Wambon and Mandobo, upon which his reconstruction was based. It's not clear why Voorhoeve overlooked the North Wambon distinction; for example Voorhoeve's (2000: 377) /*wakot/ “moon” is inexplicably reconstructed with final /*t/ in contravention of Voorhoeve's own correspondences (p. 367.)

…. Healey's values (1970: 1002-1005, 1007-1008) …

Initial consonants correspond as follows:

Wambon N. Wambon E. Wambon Mandobo Healey
*m- m m *m *m
*n- n n *n *n
*p- h ø *w *w
*p-/_… h ø
*t- t t *t *t
*t-/_i e̝ u s t *t *t
*s- s t *t *s
*k- k k *k *k
*kʷ- k k *kʷ *k
*mb- mb mb *mb *b
*nd- nd nd *nd *d
*ndz- *t
*ŋg- ŋg ŋg *ŋg *g
*ŋgʷ- ŋg ŋg *ŋgʷ *gw
*w- w w *w *w
*w-/_i w w *w
*ɾ- ɾ ɾ *r
*j- j j *j *y
*j-/_e̝ ø j *y

Medial consonants correspond as follows:

Wambon N. Wambon E. Wambon Mandobo Healey
*-m- m m *m *m
*-n- n n *n *n
*-p- *j
*-p-
*-p- *w *w
*-t- t t *t *t
*t-/_i u s t *t *t
*-s- s s *t *s
*-k- k k *k *k
*-kʷ- *kʷ *k
*-mb- mb mb *mb *b
*-nd- nd nd *nd *d
*-ndz- ɾ *r *r
*-ndz-/_u j *r/*y
*-ŋg- ŋg ŋg *ŋg *g
*-ŋgʷ- ŋg ŋg *ŋgʷ *g
*-w- *w
*-w-
*-ɾ- l r *r
*-j- *j *y
*-j-

Final consonants correspond as follows:

Wambon N. Wambon E. Wambon Mandobo Healey
*-m m m *m *m
*-n n n *n *n
*-p p p *p *p
*-t t t *t *t
*-k k k *k *k
*-kʷ k p *p *p
*-ɾ t j *j *y
*-j j j *j *y

Vowels correspond as follows:

Wambon N. Wambon E. Wambon Mandobo Healey
*i i i *i *i
*u i i *u
*e̝ e e *e̝ *e
*ɵ̝ u u *ɵ̝
*o̝ u u *o̝ *o
e e *e
o o *o
o o *a
*a a a *a *a
*…

These correspondences are exemplified as follows. Kenon attestations are drawn from de Vries and de Vries-Wiersma (1992,) Voorhoeve (2000) quoting de Vries (p.c.,) from Jang (2008,) from Hughes (2009: 27-37,) or from a digitalized vocabulary provided by Dekker and Jang (2013,) in which instances it is indicated [hj], [jh] and [rw] respectively. Ketum Wambon is drawn from Jang (2003: 39-47.) Agayop forms are drawn from Drabbe's (1959: 162-181, ibid) Wambon. While Drabbe's vocabularies are intended to be phonemic, as is de Vries' and Jang's Kenon, materials from the surveys of Jang (2003,) Hughes (2009) and Lebold et al. (2013) are phonetic.


Any consonant can occur initially.

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

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*m- m m m *m *m
drink *mi- mi- mi- mi- *mi- *mi-
swallow *mi[m/n]-kɵ̝m- *mi[m/n]-kɵ̝m-**mi köm-
star/firefly *min(-ɔp) min-op [rw]ˈmin-ɔp̚minduⁱ *min-ɔp
bone *mit mit mir mit *mit-ɔp *mit
thigh/upper arm*mindin mindin [rw] *mindin
come *m[ɛ]- mɛ- *m[ɛ]- *me-
gall/bile *mɛn mɛn *mɛn *men
this *mɛnɛ mɛnɛ *mɛnɛ *mene
tendon/vein *mɛt met mɛt *tɛmɛt *met
side *mɛɾɛn mɛrɛŋ
hair/skull *mɵ̝k muk muk̚ muk *mɵ̝k
hot *mamun mamin mɐmin mamin
daughter *matip matip *matip *matip
beard *matut matit *matut *matit
get up/stand up*matɵ̝ɾ- matut [hj] moˈtɛr- matigo (?)*matɵ̝ɾɵ̝-
story/tradition*matɔm matom *matɔm *maatom
son *mandɵ̝p maːndup *mandɵ̝p *maadöp
shoulder/ten *mak mak *mak *mak
grandchild *mak-ɔp maɣop [rw] ˈmɐɢob̚ magop *mak-ɔp *maakop
young woman *m[a]ŋg[ajɛ]t maŋgat [rw] maŋgat *mɛŋg[ajɛ]t *magat/*megeet
mouth/jaw *maŋgɔt maŋgot maŋgot *maŋgɔt *magot
afraid *m[ɒ/ɔ]p mop [hj] mop̚
behind *m[ɒ/ɔ]t mot [hj]
mother's br. *mɔm mom *mɔm
roof *mɔndɔm *mɔndɔm
child *mo̝n mun *mo̝n *mun
rain *mo̝ɾup mirip *mo̝ɾup *mürüp
back *mum miːm

Initial apical nasal /*n/ is much less common than initial bilabial /*m/ (above.) It is retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandoboHealey
*n- n n n *n *n
1 sg. *nɵ̝kʷ nuk nuk̚ nup *nɵ̝p *nöp
do (imperative) *-n[ɵ̝/o̝]-nu [hj]
eat (imperative)*na na
1 sg. poss. *na- na- na *na
go (imperative) *na-kɔj naɣoⁱ
1 pl. *naŋgVp noɣop nɛˈɢip̚naŋgup*naŋgup*nagüp
knowledge *n[ɔ]pam *nɔwam

Initial bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ [ɸ] is fricated and deoccluded to /h/ in Kenon and dropped in Ketum and in East Wambon. In the dialects of Mandobo, it is either reflected as [w] or dropped under unknown conditions:

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandobo Healey
*p- h ø ø *w *ø *w *ø
thought *pin(-pin) hin-opko *imbin-mɔ-
thick *pinim hinim [rw]
earthquake *p[i]nd[ɵ̝]m hendem [rw] indum *windɵ̝m *idöm/*odöm
see *pe̝t[a]k- hetak- sɛg- ɛtag- *[i/e̝]t[i/e̝]k-jɔ-*eto-/*iti-
bamboo *pe̝kɔp heɣop [rw] ɛːˈɢop ɛgop
skinny *pɛt-pɛt helewet [rw] *ɛt-ɛt
blow *p[ɵ̝/o̝]-mɔ-ˈhumɔ- [jh] umɐ-
bird of paradise*pandɔ[ɾ/j] andoⁱ *wandɔj *wadoy
tongue *pa[wɔ]n han-op [rw] ɐŋ-ˈkɐran-op *wa[wɔ]n(-kat)
stairs/ladder *paɾik halik [rw] *waɾik
put down *paɾɔ- halo-
stab/kill (fut.)*pu- hi- [hj] i- *u-
name *pup hit [rw] ip *up *üp
smell *pup-(mɔ)- hip ip-mo *u-mɔ- *üp-mo-

These developments are shared with Nakai to the north and Lowland Ok to the east, with Ninggirum reflecting initial /*p/ as [h] while Tangko, Iwur and Muyu drop it altogether. The Marind-Yaqay family to the south likewise deoccludes Fly River /*ɸ/ to /*h/. We can identify this change as part of a broader phenomenon affecting all the families of the Digul River corridor.

Initial apical voiceless stop /*t/ followed by vowels /*ɵ̝ *ɛ *ɔ *a *ɒ/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*t-/_ɵ̝ t t t *t *t
corpse *tɵ̝k tuk [rw]
fat/grease *tɵ̝kɵ̝ɾ tuɣut [rw] tuguⁱ *tɵ̝kɵ̝ *tököy
go up *tɵ̝ɾ- tut [hj] turu- *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝- *törö-
hide *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝k-mɔ- suluk-mo- [rw] turuk-oa *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝k-mɔ- *turuk-mo-
*t-/_ɛ t t t *t *t
rat *t[ɛ]mɔn tɛmon *t[ɔ]mɔn *temon
penis *tɛŋgɛt teŋget [rw] tɛŋgɛt *tɛŋgɛt *teget
shy *tɛɾɛŋgɛt tɛrɛŋgɛt *tɛɾɛŋgɛt *tereget
*t-/_ɔ t t t *t *t
hole *tɔp top top *-tɔp *top
termite *tɔmaj tomae tomaᵉ *tɔmaj *tomay
daughter *t[ɒ/ɔ]mba-ɾantombalan [hj]
*t-/_a t t t *t *t
cuscus *takip tɑʁip̚ [jh] tɐˈɢip̚ *takip
cowrie shell*tak[e̝]t taɣet *tak[e̝]t
armpit *taŋgɔn (tɔp) taŋgo-top [rw] taŋgo top*taŋgɔn (tɔp)*taagon top
nose *taŋgo̝t toŋgot *taŋgo̝t *togut
flying fox *tawɔɾ tawot [rw] towoⁱ
finger *taɾɔn talon [rw]
shoot *taje̝m- tem/tamdʒ- ˈtɐmd͜ʒ-taᵉm- *t[a]je̝m- *taem-
yellow *t[a]jan tɐjɐn

When followed by high and high mid front vowels /*i *e̝/ or high back tounded /*u/, apical voiceless stop /*t/ is merged with laminal /s/ [ts s] in North Wambon:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*t-/_i s [ts]s t *t *t
plait *ti- si- ti- *ti- *ti-
dog *tit sɪ:ʀ *tit
rattan/rope *tik sik tik *tik *tik
reason *tikin siɣi tigin
afterbirth *t[i]ŋgɔ-ɾɔp *tiŋgɔ-ɾɔp
*t-/_u s [ts]s t *t *t
expel from body*tu- si- [rw] ti- *tu- *tü-
banana *tut sit siːʀ tit *tut *tüt
ear *t[u]ɾɵ̝n(-tɔp)silu-top siˈrunturu-top*tɵ̝ɾɵ̝n-tɔp*turu=top
*t-/_e̝ s [ts]s t *t *t
red *te̝n-ɔp tɛnop *te̝n-ɔp *tenop
leech *te̝ɾe̝n selen sɛˈrɛntɛrɛn *te̝ɾe̝n *teren

Initial laminal voiceless /*s/ is merged with apical stop /t/ in Mandobo, a development shared with Muyu of the Lowland Ok family to the east:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*s- s [ts] s s *t *s
beak *sim sim [hj]
take/marry*si-mɔ- su-mo- *ti-mɔ-
near *s[i/e̝]nd[i/e̝]kˈsɛndɛq [jh] sindik
mouse/rat *s[e̝]k[o̝]nap sɛɢˈnɑp [jh] sogonap*to̝ko̝n-ɔp*sukunaap
sun/day *sajat sat sat *t[e̝jɛ]t *seat
throw away*sa-(mɔ)- samo- [rw] somo- *ta-(mɔ)-
widow/wife*saɾip salip [rw] saˈrip̚sarip *taɾip *sarip
cold *saɾo̝[ɾ/j] saruⁱ *taɾo̝j
mosquito *sɒpe̝n sowɛn *taje̝n-ɔp *sɔwen
dig *sɔ- a-so so- *tɔ- *so-
dry *sɔk sok so̚g-

The following loan is likewise affected:

Wambon KenonKetumAgayopMandoboHealey
*s- s *t
tobacco*sapo̝k sapuk *taho̝k

Initial velar voiceless stop /*k/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*k- k [k q] k [k q g]k *k *k
bathe *kim- kim- [rw] kɛm- kim- *kim- *kim-
sleep (n.) *kino̝m kinum kiˈnum kinum *kino̝m *kinum
flesh *kit qit̚ [jh] kiʀ -git
wind *kijapo̝j kiwi kiwuⁱ *kijawo̝j *kiwuy
be *ke̝- kɛ- *ke̝- *ke-
foot *ke̝nɔp kenop [rw] kɛˈnɔp̚
flower *ke̝t kɛt *ke̝t *ket
bandicoot *k[e̝]sɔ[t/ɾ]kosot [rw]
eye *ke̝-ɾɔp kelop ˈkenoː kɛrop *ke̝-ɾɔp *kerop
make fire *kɵ̝m- ugum- *kɵ̝m-
swallow *kɵ̝m- a-gumo *kɵ̝m- **köm-
and/also *kɵ̝p -kup -ɢup̚ -kup *-kɵ̝p *köp
fence/wall *kɵ̝k kuk *kɵ̝k *kök
walk/go (n.p.) *ka- ka- ɐ- ~ -gɐ- *ka-
widow *kamɔk *kamɔk
head *kambijan *kambijan
theft *kamb[i/u]ɾ kambit [rw] kambir
friend *kambe̝n kambe [hj] *kambe̝n
worm *kambɔt kɐmboˈtɐj [hj] *kambɔt
palate *kana[m/n] kanaŋ-git*kana[m/n]
skin/bark *kat kat gɐɾ ~ qɐʀ *-kat
outside *kat kat *kat *kat
saliva/spittle *kate̝t katɛt *kate̝t *katet
flesh *kandɵ̝ kandu *kandɵ̝
heavy *kakɵ̝n kuɣun [hj] kagun *kakɵ̝n *kaakön
man/old man *kako̝p kagup *kako̝p
ghost *kako̝j kaguⁱ *ko̝ko̝ *kakuy
enough *kaɾe̝ karɛ *kaɾe̝- *kare
break/crush *kaɾɔ- karo-ndɛ *kaɾɔ-nde̝-*karo=ne-
inside *k[a]ɾo̝p *k[a]ɾo̝p
friend *kaj na-ɣaⁱ [hj] ˈqɐjɛn kaᵉ
crocodile *kajambo̝t *ke̝jambo̝t
walk/go (pres.)*kɔ- ko- ko- *kɔ- *ko-
die (non-pres.)*kɔm- kom- [hj]
far *kɔmam komam [rw] qɐmː kamam *kɔmam *komam
neck *k[ɔ]man *kɔman
lie/falsehood *kɔjap kojap [rw] kojap
wrist/six *kɔmo̝k kumuk ˈkumuɢ- *kɔmo̝k
thunder *kɔmɵ̝t kumut [rw] kumut *kɔmɵ̝t *kumöt
bark/skin *kɔtaj kotaⁱ kotaᵉ *kɔtaj *kotay
foot/leg *kɔndɔk kondok *kɔndɔk *kodok
white *kɔwat kowat qɐˈwɐʀ *kɔwat
now/today *kɔwandɵ̝t kowandut *kɔwandɵ̝t
stone axe *kɔɾu kori *kɔɾu *korü
milk *ko̝n kun *am-ko̝n *kun
sky *ko̝t kut kuʀ *ko̝t
index finger/4 *ko̝ɾo̝ko̝t kurugut *ko̝ɾo̝ko̝t*kurukut-köp
sharp/evil *kVjɔm kojom [hj] koˈjom kujom *ko̝jɔm *kuyom
sugarcane *kum kyn *kum *küm
die (pres.) *kum- kim- kɛm- kim- *kum- *küm-
man/person *kuwap kap qɐp̚ kop *kuwap *kop

Initial rounded velar voiceless stop /*kʷ/ is merged with velar /*k/ in North Wambon and in East Wambon:

Wambon KenonKetumAgayopMandobo Healey
*kʷ-??k *kʷ *k
sweat*kʷate̝n kotɛn *kʷate̝n*koten
ashes*kʷase̝p kosɛp *kʷate̝p*kosep
frog *kʷak kak *kʷak *koak

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

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*mb- mb [mb b] mb [b]mb *mb *b
shin *mbin mbi-mit [rw] mbin *mbitɔn **bin
turtle *mbiɾip mbilip [rw] *mbiɾip
coconut *mbijan ˈbijɑn [jh] mbian *mbijan *bian
small *mbe̝ɾɔn mbɛron *mbe̝ɾɔn *beron
chest *mbɛ[m/n]
(-man)
mbɛ-mit *mbɛ[m/n]-man
forearm/seven *mbɛn mben bɛŋ- mbɛn *mbɛn
kunai grass *mbɵ̝p mbup [rw] mbup *mbɵ̝p *böp
sit/stay *mba- mba- mba- *mba- *ba-
father *mbap mbap [hj] *mbap
male *mbatim mbatim *mbatim *batim
claw/nail *mb[a][t/s]it mbisit biˈtir *mbatit
spirit *mbake̝t mbaɣet [hj]
sago palm stem*mbaŋgi mbaŋgi *mbaŋgi *bagi
old (person) *mbaɾi mbari *mbaɾi *bari
lip(s) *mbaɾa[m/n]-kat mbaŋgat bɐŋˈkɐr mbaraŋgat*mbaŋgaj
mouth/chin *mb[ɒ/ɔ]nɔp mbonop [rw] mbonop
lightning *mbɔmban *mbɔmban
wing *mbɔɾɵ̝ɾ mbuluk ko- [rw] mburuⁱ *mbɔɾɵ̝ *buruy
house/village *mbo̝tup mbisip mbitip *mbo̝tup *bütüp
knee *mbuwɔm *mbuwɔm

In one apparently irregular example, initial bilabial voiced prenasalized stop /*mb/ is reflected as nasal /m/ in North Wambon:

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandobo Healey
*mb-m m *mb
bow*mbanditmandit [rw]mɐˈdiʀ *mbandit

Initial apical voiced prenasalized stop /*nd/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*nd- nd [nd d d̪]nd [d t]nd *nd *d
root *ndit ndit
hear *ndat- ndat- dɐɾ- ndat- *ndat **dat-
slippery *ndaɾa[t/ɾ]-ndalat-ke [rw] ndara-gaᵉ
fence *ndaɾak ndɑrɑq [jh] *ndaɾak
not/nothing *ndɒj ndoⁱ dɔː ndoⁱ *nd[a/ɔ]j*dɔy
burn (intr.) *(a-)ndɔ- do- (u-)ndo *andɔ- *do-
nail *ndɔk -ˈtok̚ *ndɔk
island *ndo̝m ndum [rw] ndum *ndo̝m *dum
sago *ndo̝[j] ndu du ndun *ndo̝j *du(n)
cook/burn *(a-)ndu- *andu-
heart *ndum-ɾɔp ndim-lop [rw] ndim-ndop*ndum-ɾɔp*dümrop
bamboo vessel*nduwam *nduwam

Initial laminal voiced prenasalized /*ndz/, found clearly in only a single example, is like laminal voiceless /*s/ merged with apical voiceless stop /t/ in Mandobo:

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandoboHealey
*ndz-dʒ [dʒ ʝ] *t
upper arm/nine*ndzape̝tdʒaβet jɐˈβɛt *taje̝t

In another example …:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandoboHealey
*[ndz/j]-dʒ [dʒ ndʒ] *j
path*[ndz/j]anditdʒandit *jandit

Initial velar voiced prenasalized stop /*ŋg/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*ŋg- ŋg [ŋg g ɢ]ŋg [g ɢ]ŋg *ŋg *g
cold *ŋgit giʀ *ŋgit
sand *ŋgiɾim *ŋgiɾim
2 sg. *ŋgɵ̝p ŋgup ɢup̚ ŋgup *ŋgɵ̝p *göp
elbow/eight *ŋgambum ŋgambim [rw] ŋgambin *ŋgambum *gabün
cough/phlegm *ŋganɵ̝m *ŋganɵ̝m
chin/jaw *ŋgandɵ̝m *ŋgandɵ̝m
blood *ŋgɔm ŋgom rom ŋgom *ŋgɔm *gom
song *ŋgɔm ŋgom ŋgom *ŋgɔm *gom
arrow *ŋgɔp ŋgop *ŋgɔp *gop
nape *ŋgɔmbɛn ŋgombɛn *ŋgɛmbɛn
incorrect *ŋgɔmbam ŋgombam [rw] ŋgamban *ŋgɔmbam *gobam
long/deep *ŋg[ɔ/o̝]ɾo̝(-ɔp)gɔˈlɯ- [jh] ŋguru(p)*ŋgo̝ɾo̝-ɔp*guruop
crooked *ŋg[ɔ/o̝]j ŋguⁱ [rw] ŋgoⁱ
navel/umbilicus*ŋgo̝m ŋgum *ŋgo̝m *gum
root *ŋgo̝mbut *ŋgo̝mbut
black *ŋgo̝num *ŋgo̝num
louse *ŋgo̝t ŋgut ɢut̚ ŋgut *ŋgo̝t *gut
brain *ŋgun ŋgin

One example …:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandobo Healey
*[k/ŋg]- k ŋg*ŋg *g
sharp*[k/ŋg]e̝te̝nketen [rw] ŋgɛt *ŋge̝te̝n*get

Initial rounded velar prenasalized stop /*ŋgʷ/ is merged with velar /*ŋg/ in North Wambon and in East Wambon:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandobo Healey
*ŋgʷ-ŋg ŋg*ŋgʷ *gw
break/snap*ŋgʷa- ŋgande [rw] ŋgandɛ*ŋgʷa-nde̝-*gwa=ne-
snake *ŋgʷati *ŋgʷati

Initial bilabial non-stop /*w/ …:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*w- w w w *w *w
crippled/lame*wa *wa
night/dark *wamin wamin *wamin *wamin
inside *wamup wamip
testicle *wamb[u](-ɾɔp)wambi-lin [rw] *wambi-ɾɔp
tail *wambut wambit [rw] wɐ:mbirwambit *wambut *wabüt
calf *wan wan *wan *wan
sick/dead *watɵ̝k *watɵ̝k
egg *wandin wandin -ɪndin wandin *wandin
belly *wandin wandin *wandin *wadin
left *wak ɥɑq̚ [jh] wɐɣ- *wak
bamboo knife *waki waɣi wɐgi wagi *waki *waki
moon *wakɔɾ waɣot wɐˈɢoʀ wogoⁱ *wɔkɔj *wokoy
mucus *wakuɾa[ɾ/j] warigaᵉ*wakuɾaj
watch/guard *wɔ-mɔ- womo- *wɔmɔ- *womo-

When followed by high front vowel /*i/, initial /*w/ is dropped in Mandobo:

Wambon KenonKetumAgayopMandoboHealey
*w-/_i w *w
hand/arm*wit wit *it *wit
taro *wiɾɔp wirop *i-ɾɔp

Initial apical non-stop /*ɾ/ is retained in all decendants. In Kenon, its realization in all positions varies between lateral and rhotic [l l̪ ɺ ɾ] (de Vries and de Vries-Wiersma 1992: 6):

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandobo Healey
*ɾ- l [l l̪ ɺ ɾ]ɾ [ɾ r]ɾ *r
rib(s) *ɾin lin [rw] rin *[a]ɾin-man*rin
voice/speech *ɾɵ̝k luk ʀuk ~ ruk ruk *[a]ɾɵ̝k *rök
take/hold *ɾap- lap- rap- *ɾap-
woman *ɾan lan ɾɐŋ ran *ɾan *ran
fish *ɾakʷaj laɣaⁱ ragaᵉ *ɾakʷaj **rokay
female *ɾaŋgo̝jlaŋguⁱ raŋguⁱ*ɾaŋgo̝j
breadfruit *ɾawɔt lawot [rw] rɐˈbɔʀ rawot *ɾawɔt *rawot
plant (v.) *ɾɔ- lo- [hj] *ɾɔ- *ro-
weep/cry *ɾɔm- lom- [hj] rom- rom- *ɾɔm- *rom-/*rum-
fruit/seed *ɾɔp lop rop *ɾɔp *rop
hair/leaf/feather*ɾɔn lon ron *ɾɔn *ron
say/speak *ɾɔk- lok- rogo-
chop down *ɾu- ri- *(a-)ɾu- *rü-
go down *ɾu- ri- *-ɾu- (?)
sing *ɾu- li- ri- *ɾu- *rü-

Initial palatal non-stop /*j/ is generally retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayop Mandobo Healey
*j- j ?j *j- *y
3 sg. *jɵ̝p jup *jɵ̝p
canoe *ja[p]un *jahun
sick/ill*jambɔɾɔ jambolo-k- *jambɔɾɔ
tomorrow*jane̝n jan ŋga *jane̝n
garden *jakup jagip *jakup *yaküp
gather *jaŋg[ɵ̝/o̝]-mɔ-jaŋgumo- [rw] jaŋgumo-
call *jɔ- jo- jo- *jɔ- *yo-
mat *jɔm jom *jɔm *yom
mother *jɔp -jop [hj] *jɔp

When followed by high mid front vowel /*e̝/, /*j/ is dropped in North Wambon and in Mandobo:

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandoboHealey
*j-/_e̝ø ø j *y
bird *je̝t et ˈɛʀ jɛt *e̝t *yet
urine*je̝t-ɔk et-ok [rw]ɛt-ˈok̚jɛt-ok*e̝t-ɔk*yet=ok

…:

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandobo Healey
*j-/_
fire/tree*[je̝]n(-ɔp)en(-op)ɛn(-op̚)ɛn-op *[i/e̝]n(-ɔp)*in

In one example, initial /*j/ followed by low central vowel /*a/ is unexpectedly lost in Mandobo, with concomitant fronting and raising of /*a/ to high mid /*e̝/:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandoboHealey
*j-j ?j *y
torch*jaŋgɔtjaŋgot [rw] jaŋgot*e̝ŋgɔt*yagot

In another example …:

Wambon KenonKetumAgayopMandoboHealey
*j-øiø *j
smoke*jVɾo̝kuruk ˈirukuruk *jaɾo̝k*uruk

… medial consonants …

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

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandobo Healey
*-m- m m m *m *m
do/make *-mɔ- -mo- -mo- *-mɔ- *mo-
two *[i]ɾo̝mɔ ilumo ɛˈrumːoirumo *ɾo̝mɔ *rumo
fly (n.) *umɔn-ɔp imonop*umɔn-ɔp*ümonop
child *amut amit [hj]
ripe/yellow*amo̝[ɾ/j] amuⁱ *amo̝j
one *ɔm[a/ɔ][ɾ/j] omaᵉ *ɔm[ɔ]j *omay
hot *mamun mamin mɐmin mamin
rat *t[ɛ]mɔn tɛmon *t[ɔ]mɔn*temon
termite *tɔmaj tomae [rw] tomaᵉ *tɔmaj *tomay
throw away *sa-mɔ- samo- [rw] somo- *ta-mɔ-
widow *kamɔk *kamɔk
far *kɔmam komam [rw]qɐmː kamam *kɔmam *komam
neck *k[ɔ]man *kɔman
wrist/six *kɔmo̝k kumuk ˈkumuɢ- *kɔmo̝k
thunder *kɔmɵ̝t kumut [rw] kumut *kɔmɵ̝t *kumöt
night/dark *wamin wamin *wamin
inside *wamup wamip
watch/guard*wɔ-mɔ- womo- *wɔmɔ- *womo-

Medial apical nasal /*n/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-n- n n n *n *n
older sister*-ni -ni *-ni
net bag *e̝nɔ[j] *e̝nɔ[j]
fly (n.) *umɔn-ɔp imonop *umɔn-ɔp *ümonop
star/firefly*min-ɔp min-op [rw]ˈmin-ɔp̚ *min-ɔp
this *mɛnɛ mɛnɛ *mɛnɛ *mene
thick *pinim hinim [rw]
tongue *pa[wɔ]n han-op [rw]ɐŋ-ˈkɐr an-op *wa[wɔ]n(-kat)
mouth/chin *mb[ɒ/ɔ]nɔpmbonop [rw] mbonop
red *te̝n-ɔp tɛnop *te̝n-ɔp *tenop
sleep (n.) *kino̝m kinum kiˈnum kinum *kino̝m *kinum
foot *ke̝nɔp kenop [rw] kɛˈnɔp̚
palate *kana[m/n] kanaŋ-git*kana[m/n]
cough/phlegm*ŋganɵ̝m *ŋganɵ̝m
black *ŋgo̝num *ŋgo̝num
tomorrow *jane̝n jan ŋga *jane̝n

Medial bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ is lenited to /β/ [β w] in Wambon, merged with non-stop /w/ in East Wambon and with either non-stops /*w *j/ or zero /*ø/ in Mandobo depending upon the qualities of adjacent vowels:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-p-/_e̝ p [β] p [β]w [w ø]*j *w
mosquito *sɒpe̝n sowɛn *taje̝n-ɔp*sɔwen
upper arm/nine*ndzape̝t dʒaβet jɐˈβɛt *taje̝t
*-p-/_ɛ w
skinny *pɛt-pɛt hele-wet [rw] *ɛt-ɛt
*-p-/_u o̝ ap w w ø *w *w
cough *[a]p[u]j-ɔk apdʒok [rw] ajak *awujɔk *aüak
wind *kijapo̝j kiwi kiwuⁱ *kijawo̝j *kiwuy
knowledge *n[ɔ]pam *nɔwam

An alternative analysis would hold that /*p/ has simply been dropped in Mandobo. This may be historically accurate, however synchronically there are otherwise no sequential vowels, so interpreting these contours as /*w *j/ avoids having to posit them.

In one example known to be a loan, /*p/ is preserved as /p/ in Agayop and as a phoneme /*h/ in Mandobo:

Wambon KenonKetumAgayopMandoboHealey
*-p- p *h
tobacco*sapuk sapuk *taho̝k

The term for “canoe” is a loan from Marind /*iawun/, as it is in Awyu:

Wambon KenonKetumAgayopMandoboHealey
*-[p]- *h
canoe*ja[p]un jahun

Medial apical voiceless stop /*t/ when followed by vowels other than high vowels /*i *u/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-t- t t *t *t
scar *at[e̝/ɛ][t/ɾ]atet [rw] atɛrɛm
tail of bird *ɒt[a]ɾɔn *ataɾɔn
get up/stand up*matɵ̝ɾ- matut [hj]moˈtɛr-matigo (?)*matɵ̝ɾɵ̝-
story/tradition*matɔm matom *matɔm *maatom
see *pe̝t[a]k- hetak- sɛg- ɛtag- *[i/e̝]t[i/e̝]k-jɔ-*eto-/*iti-
saliva/spittle *kate̝t katɛt *kate̝t *katet
bark/skin *kɔtaj kotaⁱ kotaᵉ *kɔtaj *kotay
sharp *[k/ŋg]e̝te̝n keten [rw] ŋgɛt *ŋge̝te̝n *get
sweat *kʷate̝n kotɛn *kʷate̝n *koten
sick/dead *watɵ̝k *watɵ̝k

When followed by high front and central vowels /*i *u/, voiceless apical stop /*t/ is fricated to laminal /s/ in North Wambon:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandobo Healey
*-t-/_is t *t *t
father *-ti -ti *-ti
bite *ati[k]- asi- [rw] atigo-*ati[k-m]ɔ-
daughter *matip matip *matip *matip
male *mbatim mbasin [rw] mbatim*mbatim *batim
snake *ŋgʷati *ŋgʷati
*-t-/_us t *t *t
beard *matut matit *matut *matit
house/village*mbo̝tup mbisip mbitip*mbo̝tup *bütüp

Medial laminal voiceless /*s/ is uncommon. It is merged with apical /*t/ in Mandobo:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandobo Healey
*-s- s s *t *s
sneeze *asin asiŋ-mo- [rw] asi-
spider *at[o̝]wan asowan [rw] suwan *ato̝wan*sukan/*suwan
bandicoot*k[e̝]sɔ[t/ɾ]kosot [rw]
ashes *kʷase̝p kosɛp *kʷate̝p*kosep

Medial velar voiceless stop /*k/ is lenited to voiced [g] in East Wambon and Mandobo and fricated to [ɣ ʁ] in North Wambon:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-k- k [ɣ ʁ ɢ]k [g ]k [g]*k [k g ɢ]*k
paddle *ikɔ[ɾ/j] *ikɔj
vomit *[a]kɵ̝[m/n] *akɵ̝[m/n]
grandchild *mak-ɔp maɣop [rw] ˈmɐɢob̚ magop *mak-ɔp *maakop
bamboo *pe̝kɔp heɣop [rw] ɛːˈɢop ɛgop
spirit *mbake̝t mbaɣet [hj]
go (imperative)*na-kɔj naɣoⁱ
reason *tikin siɣi tigin
fat/grease *tɵ̝kɵ̝ɾ tuɣut [rw] tugu *tɵ̝kɵ̝ *tököy
cuscus *takip tɑʁip̚ [jh] tɐˈɢip̚ *takip
cowrie shell *tak[e̝]t taɣet *tak[e̝]t
mouse/rat *s[e̝]k[o̝]napsɛɢˈnɑp [jh] sogonap *to̝ko̝n-ɔp *sukunaap
heavy *kakɵ̝n kuɣun [hj] kagun *kakɵ̝n *kaakön
man/old man *kako̝p kagup *kako̝p
ghost *kako̝j kaguⁱ *ko̝ko̝ *kakuy
index finger/4 *ko̝ɾo̝ko̝t kurugut *ko̝ɾo̝ko̝t *kurukut-köp
garden *jakup jagip *jakup *yaküp
track *jVk[ɵ̝/o̝]t iɣut [rw] jugut
bamboo knife *waki waɣi wɐgi wagi *waki *waki
moon *wakɔɾ waɣot wɐˈɢoʀ wogoⁱ *wɔkɔj *wokoy

North Wambon's frication of medial /*k/ is shared with the Central Ok languages, and is viewable as an intermediate stage preceding the loss of medial /*k/ in the Lowland Ok languages.

Medial rounded velar voiceless stop /*kʷ/ is merged with velar /*k/ in North Wambon and in East Wambon:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-kʷ-k [ɣ]k [ɣ]k [g]*kʷ [kʷ gʷ]*k
who?*[a]kʷap ɐˈɣɛp̚ agap *kʷap
fish*ɾakʷaj laɣaⁱ ragaᵉ *ɾakʷaj **rokay

Medial bilabial voiced prenasalized stop /*mb/ is retained as such in all decendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-mb- mb mb mb *mb *b
tooth *imban *imban
scabies/tinea *iɾɔmbo̝t irombut*iɾɔmbo̝t
younger sister*[a]mbijat mbiat *ambijat *biat
laughter *ambe̝n amben [rw] ɐnˈbɛn *ambe̝n
lightning *mbɔmban *mbɔmban
daughter *t[o]mba-ɾan tombalan [hj]
head *kambijan *kambijan
theft *kamb[i/u]ɾ kambit [rw] kambir
friend *kambe̝n kambe [hj] *kambe̝n
worm *kambɔt kɐmboˈtɐj [hj] *kambɔt
crocodile *kajambo̝t *ke̝jambo̝t
elbow/eight *ŋgambum ŋgambim [rw] ŋgambin*ŋgambum *gabün
nape *ŋgɔmbɛn ŋgombɛn*ŋgɛmbɛn
incorrect *ŋgɔmbam ŋgombam [rw] ŋgamban*ŋgɔmbam *gobam
root *ŋgo̝mbut *ŋgo̝mbut
testicle *wamb[u](-ɾɔp)wambi-lin [rw] *wambi-ɾɔp
tail *wambut wambit [rw] wɐ:mbirwambit *wambut *wabüt
sick/ill *jambɔɾɔ jambolo-k- *jambɔɾɔ

Medial apical voiced prenasalized stop /*nd/ is retained as such in all decendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-nd- nd nd *nd *d
enemy *ɛndɔm ɛnˈdom ɛndom *ɛndɔm *edom
roof *mɔndɔm *mɔndɔm
earthquake *p[i]nd[ɵ̝]m hendem [rw] indum *windɵ̝m *idöm/*odöm
eat (future) *ande̝- ande- ˈɐndɛ- *ande̝-
tie/bind *and[awɔ]p- andop [hj] ɐnˈdɐb-andap-
body/trunk *anduɾ andit *andu
thigh/upper arm *mindin mindin [rw] *mindin
son *mandɵ̝p maːndup *mandɵ̝p *maadöp
bird of paradise*pandɔ[ɾ/j] andoⁱ *wandɔj *wadoy
bow *mbandit mandit [rw] mɐˈdiʀ *mbandit
near *s[i/e]nd[i/e]kˈsɛndɛq [jh] sindik
path *[ndz/j]andit dʒandit *jandit
flesh *kandɵ̝ kandu *kandɵ̝
foot/leg *kɔndɔk kondok *kɔndɔk *kodok
now/today *kɔwandɵ̝t kowandut*kɔwandɵ̝t
chin/jaw *ŋgandɵ̝m *ŋgandɵ̝m
egg *wandin wandin -ɪndin wandin *wandin
belly *wandin wandin *wandin *wadin

There are only two known examples of medial laminal voiced prenasalized /*ndz/:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandoboHealey
*-ndz-/_u ?j *r/*y
boil/ulcer *[a]ndz[o̝/u]ndʒun-op jun *[a]ɾun*rün/*yün
*-ndz-/_a ?r *r
light/clear*[ɔ]ndzat dʒat rat *ɔɾat *rat

Medial velar voied prenasalized stop /*ŋg/ is retained as such in all decendants:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayop Mandobo Healey
*-ŋg- ŋg ŋg *ŋg *g
wife *aŋge̝n *aŋge̝n
dog *aŋgaj aŋgaⁱ aŋgaᵉ *aŋgaj *agay
young woman *m[a]ŋg[ajɛ]t maŋgat [rw] maŋgat *mɛŋg[ajɛ]t *magat/*megeet
mouth/jaw *maŋgɔt maŋgot maŋgot *maŋgɔt *magot
sago palm stem*mbaŋgi mbaŋgi *mbaŋgi *bagi
afterbirth *t[i]ŋgoɾop *tiŋgɔ-ɾɔp
penis *tɛŋgɛt teŋget [rw] tɛŋgɛt *tɛŋgɛt *teget
shy *tɛɾɛŋgɛt tɛrɛŋgɛt *tɛɾɛŋgɛt *tereget
armpit *taŋgɔn taŋgo-top [rw] taŋgo top*taŋgɔn(-tɔp)*taagon top
nose *taŋgo̝t toŋgot *taŋgo̝t *togut
female *ɾaŋgo̝j laŋguⁱ raŋguⁱ *ɾaŋgo̝j
gather *jaŋg[ɵ̝/o̝]-mɔ-jaŋgumo- [rw] jaŋgumo-
torch *jaŋgɔt jaŋgot [rw] jaŋgot *e̝ŋgɔt *yagot

Medial rounded velar voiced prenasalized stop /*ŋgʷ/ has been found in only one non-compound example:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayop Mandobo Healey
*-ŋgʷ- ŋg ŋg ŋgʷ *g *gw
thumb/five *aŋgʷo̝ aŋgu *aŋgʷo̝ *agu
break/snap (tr.)*ɾap(-)ŋgʷa-mɔ-lap ŋgamo- [rw] ra ŋgao-*ɾap-ŋgʷa-mɔ-*ra-gwaa-mo-

Medial bilabial non-stop /*w/ …:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-w- w w w *w *w
spider *at[o̝]wanasowan [rw] suwan *ato̝wan *sukan/*suwan
flying fox*tawɔɾ tawot [rw] towoⁱ
white *kɔwat kowat qɐˈwɐʀ *kɔwat
now/today *kɔwandɵ̝t kowandut*kɔwandɵ̝t
breadfruit*ɾawɔt lawot [rw] rɐˈbɔʀ (?)rawot *ɾawɔt *rawot

Medial apical non-stop /*ɾ/ is very common. It is realized as /l/ [l l̪ ɾ r] in Kenon:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-ɾ- l [l l̪ r] ɾ [r ʀ]ɾ *-ɾ- *r
stone *iɾɔp iɾop̚ irop
scabies/tinea *iɾɔmbo̝t irombut *iɾɔmbo̝t
two *[i]ɾo̝mɔ ilumo ɛˈrumːo irumo *ɾo̝mɔ *rumo
rainbow *e̝ɾe̝n ɛrɛnajop
raw/new *aɾɵ̝(-jɔk) alujok/alun [rw] ariok *aɾɵ̝
yesterday *aɾup alip ariw amin*aɾuwa
thorn *aɾun alin ɐˈʀiŋ arin *aɾun *arün
thorn *aɾuk *aɾuk
tail of bird *ɒt[a]rɔn *ataɾɔn
side *mɛɾɛn mɛrɛŋ
rain *mo̝ɾup mirip *mo̝ɾup *mürüp
stairs/ladder *paɾik halik [rw] *waɾik
turtle *mbiɾip mbilip [rw] *mbiɾip
small *mbe̝ɾɔn mbɛron *mbe̝ɾɔn *beron
old (person) *mbaɾi mbari *mbaɾi *bari
wing *mbɔɾɵ̝ɾ mbuluk ko- [rw] mburuⁱ *mbɔɾɵ̝ *buruy
afterbirth *tiŋgɔ-ɾɔp *tiŋgɔ-ɾɔp
ear *t[u]ɾɵ̝n(-tɔp) silu-top siˈrun turu-top *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝n-tɔp*turu=top
leech *te̝ɾe̝n selen sɛˈrɛn tɛrɛn *te̝ɾe̝n *teren
hide *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝k-mɔ- suluk-mo- [rw] turuk-oa *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝k-mɔ-*turuk-mo-
finger *taɾɔn talon [rw]
slippery *ndaɾa[t/ɾ]- ndalat-ke [rw] ndara-gaᵉ
fence *ndaɾak ndɑrɑq [jh] *ndaɾak
widow/wife *saɾip salip [rw] saˈrip̚ sarip *taɾip *sarip
cold *saɾo̝[ɾ/j] saruⁱ *taɾo̝j
eye *ke̝-ɾɔp kelop ˈkenoː (?) kɛrop *ke̝-ɾɔp *kerop
enough *kaɾe̝ karɛ *kaɾe̝- *kare
break/crush *kaɾɔ- karo-ndɛ *kaɾɔ-nde̝- *karo=ne-
inside *k[a]ɾo̝p *k[a]ɾo̝p
stone axe *kɔɾu kori *kɔɾu *korü
index finger/4*ko̝ɾo̝ko̝t kurugut *ko̝ɾo̝ko̝t *kurukut-köp
sand *ŋgiɾim *ŋgiɾim
long/deep *ŋg[ɔ/o̝]ɾo̝(-ɔp)gɔˈlɯ- [jh] ŋguru(p) *ŋgo̝ɾo̝-ɔp *guruop
sick/ill *jambɔɾɔ jambolo-k- *jambɔɾɔ
taro *wiɾɔp wirop *i-ɾɔp
mucus *wakuɾa[ɾ/j] warigaᵉ *wakuɾaj
smoke *jVɾo̝k uruk ˈiruk uruk *jaɾo̝k *uruk

Medial palatal non-stop /*j/ …

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandoboHealey
*-j-j j j *j *y
yellow *t[a]jan tɐjɐn
lie/falsehood*kɔjap kojap [rw] kojap
sharp/evil *kVjɔm kojom [hj]koˈjomkujom *ko̝jɔm*kuyom

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandobo Healey
*-j-/a_Vø ø *j
shoot *tajem- tem/tamdʒ-ˈtɐmd͜ʒ-taᵉm- *t[a]je̝m- *taem-
sun/day *sajat sat sat *t[e̝jɛ]t *seat
crocodile*kajambo̝t *ke̝jambo̝t

We assume segments [ia ija] to be underlyingly /*ija/ because this allows us to state that there are no root-internal vowel sequences:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandobo Healey
*ija *ija *ia
younger sister*[a]mbijat mbiat *ambijat *biat
coconut *mbijan ˈbijɑn [jh] mbian *mbijan *bian
head *kambijan *kambijan

Due to mergers of Digul River-Ok final consonants in proto-Digul River, only a restricted subset of consonants occurs finally: nasals /*m *n/, voiceless stops /*p *t *k/, possibly also rounded velar voiceless /*kʷ/, and apical and palatal non-stops /*ɾ *j/. Finals /*p *t/ are significantly more common than final /*k/ because Digul River-Ok final anterior voiced prenasalized stops /*mb *nd/ were merged with /*p *t/ while velar /*ŋg/ was merged with apical nasal /*n/.

Final bilabial nasal /*m/ is sporadically merged with /n/ in Agayop and in varieties of Mandobo under unknown conditions:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-m m m *m *m
enemy *ɛndɔm ɛnˈdomɛndom *ɛndɔm *edom
breast *ɒm om ɔm om *am *ɔm
story/tradition*matɔm matom *matɔm *maatom
mother's br. *mɔm mom *mɔm
roof *mɔndɔm *mɔndɔm
back *mum miːm
thick *pinim hinim [rw]
earthquake *p[i]nd[ɵ̝]mhendem [rw] indum *windɵ̝m *idöm/*odöm
male *mbatim mbasin [rw] mbatim *mbatim *batim
knee *mbuwɔm *mbuwɔm
knowledge *n[ɔ]pam *nɔwam
island *ndo̝m ndum [rw] ndum *ndo̝m *dum
bamboo vessel *nduwam *nduwam
beak *sim sim [hj]
sleep (n.) *kino̝m kinum kiˈnumkinum *kino̝m *kinum
sugarcane *kʉm kyn *kum *küm
make fire *kɵ̝m ugum- *kɵ̝m-
far *kɔmam komam [rw] qɐmː kamam *kɔmam *komam
sharp/evil *kVjɔm kojom [hj] koˈjomkujom *ko̝jɔm *kuyom
sand *ŋgiɾim *ŋgiɾim
elbow/eight *ŋgambum ŋgambim [rw] ŋgambin*ŋgambum *gabün
cough/phlegm *ŋganɵ̝m *ŋganɵ̝m
chin/jaw *ŋgandɵ̝m *ŋgandɵ̝m
blood *ŋgɔm ŋgom rom ŋgom *ŋgɔm *gom
song *ŋgɔm ŋgom ŋgom *ŋgɔm *gom
incorrect *ŋgɔmbam ŋgombam [rw] ŋgamban*ŋgɔmbam *gobam
navel/umbilicus*ŋgo̝m ŋgum *ŋgo̝m *gum
black *ŋgo̝num *ŋgo̝num
mat *jɔm jom *jɔm *yom

Accordingly, it's possible that some forms reconstructed with final apical nasal /*n/ (below) and based upon only Agayop and Mandobo really had final bilabial /*m/.

Voorhoeve (2000: 367) notes that “the appearance of n in the Kaeti forms is due to Drabbe's decision to give in his word list the primary stems' of the Kaeti verbs in which the /n/ seems to be an artifact of his analysis. The 'secondary stems' have /m/ instead of /n/. It should be noted that in Kaeti word-final /m/ and /n/ sometimes alternate (Drabbe 1959: 5.)”

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandobo Healey
*-mm m m *m *m
shoot *tajem-tem/tamdʒ-ˈtɐmd͜ʒ-taᵉm- *t[a]je̝m-*taem-
bathe *kim- kim- [rw] kɛm- kim- *kim- *kim-
die (pres.)*kum- kim- kɛm- kim- *kum- *küm-
weep/cry *ɾɔm- lom- [hj] rom- rom- *ɾɔm- *rom-/*rum-

Final apical nasal /*n/ is generally retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-n n n [n ŋ]n [n ŋ]*n *n
tooth *imban *imban
rainbow *e̝ɾe̝n ɛrɛnajop
eat (present) *ɛn- en- ɛn-
spider *at[o̝]wan asowan [rw] suwan *ato̝wan *sukan/*suwan
laughter *ambe̝n amben [rw] ɐnˈbɛn *ambe̝n
boil/ulcer *[a]ndz[o̝/u]ndʒun-op jun *[a]ɾun *rün/*yün
wife *aŋge̝n *aŋge̝n
thorn *aɾun alin ɐˈʀiŋ arin *aɾun *arün
tail of bird *ɒt[a]ɾɔn *ataɾɔn
hit/kill *un- in-
thigh/upper arm *mindin mindin [rw] *mindin
gall/bile *mɛn mɛn *mɛn *men
side *mɛɾɛn mɛrɛŋ
hot *mamun mamin mɐmin mamin
child *mo̝n mun *mo̝n *mun
coconut *mbijan ˈbijɑn [jh] mbian *mbijan *bian
shin *mbin mbi-mit [rw] mbin *mbitɔn **bin
forearm/seven *mbɛn mben bɛŋ- mbɛn *mbɛn
small *mbe̝ɾɔn mbɛron *mbe̝ɾɔn *beron
leech *te̝ɾe̝n selen sɛˈrɛn tɛrɛn *te̝ɾe̝n *teren
rat *t[ɛ]mɔn tɛmon *t[ɔ]mɔn *temon
armpit *taŋgɔn taŋgo-top [rw] taŋgo top *taŋgɔn(-tɔp)*taagon top
finger *taɾon talon [rw]
yellow *t[a]jan tɐjɐn
mosquito *sɒpe̝n sowɛn *taje̝n-ɔp *sɔwen
head *kambijan *kambijan
heavy *kakɵ̝n kuɣun [hj] kagun *kakɵ̝n *kaakön
neck *k[ɔ]man *kɔman
milk *ko̝n kun *am-ko̝n *kun
sweat *kʷate̝n kotɛn *kʷate̝n *koten
brain *ŋgun ŋgin
nape *ŋgɔmbɛn ŋgombɛn *ŋgɛmbɛn
night/dark *wamin wamin *wamin
calf *wan wan *wan *wan
egg *wandin wandin -ɪndin wandin *wandin
belly *wandin wandin *wandin *wadin
rib(s) *ɾin lin [rw] rin *[a]ɾin-man *rin
woman *ɾan lan ɾɐŋ ran *ɾan *ran
hair/leaf/feather*ɾɔn lon ron *ɾɔn *ron
fire/tree *[je̝]n(-ɔp) en(-op) ɛn(-op̚) ɛn-op *[i/e̝]n(-ɔp)*in
canoe *ja[p]un *jahun
tomorrow *jane̝n jan ŋga *jane̝n

In one example, …:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandobo Healey
*-n n ø *n
sharp*[k/ŋg]e̝te̝nketen [rw] ŋgɛt *ŋge̝te̝n*get

Final bilabial voiceless stop /*p/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-p p [p p̚]p [p̚ b̚ ø]p *p *p
earth/ground *ip ip ip̚
stone *iɾɔp iɾop̚ irop
that *ɛp ep
house/nest *ap ap ɐp̚ ap *-ap (?)
tie/bind *and[awɔ]p- andop [hj] ɐnˈdɐb- andap-
who? *[a]kʷap ɐˈɣɛp̚ agap *kʷap
fly (n.) *umɔn-ɔp imonop *umɔn-ɔp *ümonop
right (side) *up ʔip̚ [jh] ip̚ *up (?)
star/firefly *min-ɔp min-op [rw] ˈmin-ɔp̚ *min-ɔp
daughter *matip matip *matip *matip
son *mandɵ̝p maːndup*mandɵ̝p *maadöp
grandchild *mak-ɔp maɣop [rw] ˈmɐɢob̚ magop *mak-ɔp *maakop
afraid *m[ɒ/ɔ]p mop [hj] mop̚
rain *mo̝ɾup mirip *mo̝ɾup *mürüp
bamboo *pe̝kɔp heɣop [rw] ɛːˈɢop ɛgop
turtle *mbiɾip mbilip [rw] *mbiɾip
kunai grass *mbɵ̝p mbup [rw] mbup *mbɵ̝p *böp
father *mbap mbap [hj] *mbap
mouth/chin *mb[ɒ/ɔ]nɔp mbonop [rw] mbonop
house/village *mbo̝tup mbisip mbitip *mbo̝tup *bütüp
afterbirth *t[i]ŋgoɾop *tiŋgɔ-ɾɔp
red *te̝n-ɔp tɛnop *te̝n-ɔp *tenop
cuscus *takip tɑʁip̚ [jh] tɐˈɢip̚ *takip
hole *tɔp top top *-tɔp *top
mouse/rat *s[e̝]k[o̝]napsɛɢˈnɑp [jh] sogonap*to̝ko̝n-ɔp*sukunaap
widow/wife *saɾip salip [rw] saˈrip̚ sarip *taɾip *sarip
foot *ke̝nɔp kenop [rw] kɛˈnɔp̚
eye *ke̝-ɾɔp kelop ˈkenoː (?) kɛrop *ke̝-ɾɔp *kerop
and/also *kɵ̝p -kup -ɢup̚ -kup *-kɵ̝p *köp
man/old man *kako̝p kagup *kako̝p
inside *k[a]ɾo̝p *k[a]ɾo̝p
lie/falsehood *kɔjap kojap [rw] kojap
man/person *kuwap kap qɐp̚ kop *kuwap *kop
index finger/4*ko̝ɾo̝ko̝t kurugut*ko̝ɾo̝ko̝t*kurukut-köp
ashes *kʷase̝p kosɛp *kʷate̝p *kosep
2 sg. *ŋgɵ̝p ŋgup ɢup̚ ŋgup *ŋgɵ̝p *göp
arrow *ŋgɔp ŋgop *ŋgɔp *gop
long *ŋgoɾu-op ŋgurup *ŋgo̝ɾo̝-ɔp
take/hold *ɾap- lap- rap- *ɾap-
fruit/seed *ɾɔp lop rop *ɾɔp *rop
3 sg. *jɵ̝p jup *jɵ̝p
garden *jakup jagip *jakup *yaküp
mother *jɔp -jop [hj] *jɔp
taro *wiɾɔp wirop *i-ɾɔp

One apparently irregular example cannot be solved by outcorrespondence, as besides Ndeiram River and Awyu which regularly drop final stops, no final stop is found in Becking and Dawi River or Sawuy cognates:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandoboHealey
*-pt [t̚] p *p
name*pup hit [rw] ip *up *üp

Final apical voiceless stop /*t/ …:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-t t [t t̚] ɾ [r ʀ]t *t *t
scabies/tinea *iɾɔmbo̝t irombut *iɾɔmbo̝t
child *amut amit [hj]
younger sister*[a]mbijat mbiat *ambijat *biat
older brother *[a]ne̝t -net nɛt *ane̝t *net
light/clear *[ɔ]ndzat dʒat rat *ɔɾat *rat
bone *mit mit mir mit *mit-ɔp *mit
tendon/vein *mɛt met mɛt *tɛmɛt *met
beard *matut matit *matut *matit
young woman *m[a]ŋg[ajɛ]tmaŋgat [rw] maŋgat *mɛŋg[ajɛ]t*magat/*megeet
mouth/jaw *maŋgɔt maŋgot maŋgot *maŋgɔt *magot
behind *m[ɒ/ɔ]t mot [hj]
skinny *pɛt-pɛt hele-wet [rw] *ɛt-ɛt
claw/nail *mb[a][t/s]itmbisit biˈtir *mbatit
bow *mbandit mandit [rw] mɐˈdiʀ *mbandit
spirit *mbake̝t mbaɣet [hj]
dog *tit sɪ:ʀ *tit
penis *tɛŋgɛt teŋget [rw] tɛŋgɛt *tɛŋgɛt *teget
shy *tɛɾɛŋgɛt tɛrɛŋgɛt*tɛɾɛŋgɛt *tereget
cowrie shell *tak[e̝]t taɣet *tak[e̝]t
nose *taŋgo̝t toŋgot *taŋgo̝t *togut
banana *tut sit siːʀ tit *tut *tüt
root *ndit ndit
hear *ndat- ndat- dɐɾ- ndat- *ndat **dat-
sun/day *sajat sat sat *t[e̝jɛ]t *seat
upper arm/nine*ndzape̝t dʒaβet jɐˈβɛt *taje̝t
path *[ndz/j]anditdʒandit *jandit
flesh *kit qit̚ [jh] kiʀ -git
flower *ke̝t kɛt *ke̝t *ket
worm *kambɔt kɐmboˈtɐj [hj] *kambɔt
skin/bark *kat kat gɐɾ ~ qɐʀ *-kat
outside *kat kat *kat *kat
saliva/spittle*kate̝t katɛt *kate̝t *katet
crocodile *kajambo̝t *ke̝jambo̝t
thunder *kɔmɵ̝t kumut [rw] kumut *kɔmɵ̝t *kumöt
white *kɔwat kowat qɐˈwɐʀ *kɔwat
sky *ko̝t kut kuʀ *ko̝t
cold *ŋgit giʀ *ŋgit
root *ŋgo̝mbut *ŋgo̝mbut
louse *ŋgo̝t ŋgut ɢut̚ ŋgut *ŋgo̝t *gut
hand/arm *wit wit *it *wit
inside *wamup wamip
tail *wambut wambit [rw] wɐ:mbir wambit *wambut *wabüt
breadfruit *ɾawɔt lawot [rw] rɐˈbɔʀ rawot *ɾawɔt *rawot
bird *je̝t et ˈɛʀ jɛt *e̝t *yet
torch *jaŋgɔt jaŋgot [rw] jaŋgot *e̝ŋgɔt *yagot
track *jVk[ɵ̝/o̝]t iɣut [rw] jugut

Final velar voiceless stop /*k/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-k k [k k̚ q q̚]k [k̚ ]k *k
cough *[a]p[u]j-ɔk apdʒok [rw] ajak *awujɔk *aüak
water *ɔk ok ɔg ok *ɔk *ok
hair/skull *mɵ̝k muk muk̚ muk *mɵ̝k
shoulder/ten *mak mak *mak *mak
see *pe̝t[a]k- hetak- sɛg- ɛtag- *[i/e̝]t[i/e̝]k-jɔ-*eto-/*iti-
stairs/ladder*paɾik halik [rw] *waɾik
rattan/rope *tik sik tik *tik *tik
corpse *tɵ̝k tuk [rw]
hide *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝k-mɔ- suluk-mo- [rw] turuk-oa*tɵ̝ɾɵ̝k-mɔ- *turuk-mo-
fence *ndaɾak ndɑrɑq [jh] *ndaɾak
nail *ndɔk -ˈtok̚ *ndɔk
near *s[i/e]nd[i/e]kˈsɛndɛq [jh] sindik
dry *sɔk sok so̚g-
fence/wall *kɵ̝k kuk *kɵ̝k *kök
widow *kamɔk *kamɔk
wrist/six *kɔmo̝k kumuk ˈkumuɢ- *kɔmo̝k
foot/leg *kɔndɔk kondok *kɔndɔk *kodok
frog *kʷak kak *kʷak *koak
sick/dead *watɵ̝k *watɵ̝k
left *wak ɥɑq̚ [jh] wɐɣ- *wak
voice/speech *ɾɵ̝k luk ʀuk ~ ruk ruk *[a]ɾɵ̝k *rök
say/speak *ɾɔk- lok- rogo-
smoke *jVɾo̝k uruk ˈiruk uruk *jaɾo̝k *uruk

It may be seen that finals /*p *t/ are singificantly more frequent than final /*k/, while in Ok they are roughly equally frequent. This is likely attributable to Digul River's merger of Digul River-Ok finals /*mb *nd/ with /*p *t/, but /*ŋg/ with /*n/ rather than with /*k/.

There is only one known example of a possible final rounded velar voiceless stop /kʷ/, which both Healey and Voorhoeve reconstruct as /*p/ in parallel with the augments found on other pronouns:

Wambon KenonKetum AgayopMandoboHealey
*-kʷkk [k̚]p *p *p
1 sg.*nɵ̝kʷ nuk nuk̚ nup *nɵ̝p *nöp

Final apical non-stop /*ɾ/ is merged with the reflex of /*t/ in North Wambon and merged with the reflex of /*j/ in East Wambon and in Mandobo:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-ɾ t [t̚] r [ ]j [ᵉ/a_, ⁱ/_o u] *y
dream *ɵ̝r uⁱ *ɵ̝ *öy
body/trunk *anduɾ andit *andu
excrement *ɒɾ ot ɔ̃: oⁱ *aj *ɔy
get up/stand up*matɵ̝ɾ- matut [hj] moˈtɛr- matigo (?) *matɵ̝ɾɵ̝-
wing *mbɔɾɵ̝ɾ mbuluk ko- [rw] mburuⁱ *mbɔɾɵ̝ *buruy
fat/grease *tɵ̝kɵ̝ɾ tuɣut [rw] tuguⁱ *tɵ̝kɵ̝ *tököy
flying fox *tawɔɾ tawot [rw] towoⁱ
theft *kamb[i/u]ɾkambit [rw] kambir
moon *wakɔɾ waɣot wɐˈɢoʀ wogoⁱ *wɔkɔj *wokoy

Final palatal non-stop /*j/ is generally retained as such in all descendants:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*-j j j [ᵉ/a_, ⁱ/_o u]*j *y
father's father*[a]mbaj ambaⁱ [rw] mbaᵉ *ambaj
dog *aŋgaj aŋgaⁱ aŋgaᵉ *aŋgaj *agay
pig *[o̝]j oⁱ [rw] uⁱ *o̝j *uy
go (imperative)*na-kɔj naɣoⁱ
termite *tɔmaj tomae [rw] tomaᵉ *tɔmaj *tomay
not/nothing *ndɒj ndoⁱ dɔː ndoⁱ *nd[a/ɔ]j*dɔy
wind *kijapo̝j kiwi kiwuⁱ *kijawo̝j*kiwuy
friend *kaj naɣaⁱ [hj]ˈqɐjɛnkaᵉ
bark/skin *kɔtaj kotaⁱ kotaᵉ *kɔtaj *kotay
crooked *ŋg[ɔ/o̝]jŋguⁱ [rw] ŋgoⁱ
female *ɾaŋgo̝j laŋguⁱ raŋguⁱ *ɾaŋgo̝j
fish *ɾakʷaj laɣaⁱ ragaᵉ *ɾakʷaj **rokay

In one example …:

Wambon KenonKetumAgayop MandoboHealey
*-j j [ⁱ] *y
ghost*kako̝j kaguⁱ *ko̝ko̝*kakuy

Due to the merger of finals /*ɾ *j/ in East Wambon and Mandobo, the final qualities of several roots cannot be determined without more evidence:

Wambon KenonKetumAgayop Mandobo Healey
*-[ɾ/j] j [ᵉ/a_, ⁱ/_o u]*j
ripe/yellow*amo̝[ɾ/j] amuⁱ *amo̝j
cold *saɾo̝[ɾ/j] saruⁱ *taɾo̝j
mucus *wakuɾa[ɾ/j] warigaᵉ *wakuɾaj

Vowels ….

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

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*i i i i *i *i
drink *mi- mi- mi- mi- *mi- *mi-
older sister *-ni -ni *-ni
father *-ti -ti *-ti
plait *ti- si- ti- *ti- *ti-
earth/ground *ip ip ip̚
star/firefly *min(-ɔp) min-op [rw] ˈmin-ɔp̚minduⁱ *min-ɔp
bone *mit mit mir mit *mit-ɔp *mit
thought *pin hin-opko *imbin-mɔ-
shin *mbin mbi-mit [rw] mbin *mbitɔn **bin
dog *tit sɪ:ʀ *tit
rattan/rope *tik sik tik *tik *tik
root *ndit ndit
beak *sim sim [hj]
bathe *kim- kim- [rw] kɛm- kim- *kim- *kim-
flesh *kit qit̚ [jh] kiʀ -git
cold *ŋgit giʀ *ŋgit
hand/arm *wit wit *it *wit
rib(s) *ɾin lin [rw] rin *[a]ɾin-man *rin
thigh/upper arm*mindin mindin [rw] *mindin
thick *pinim hinim [rw]
turtle *mbiɾip mbilip [rw] *mbiɾip
reason *tikin siɣi tigin
sand *ŋgiɾim *ŋgiɾim
swallow *mi[m/n] kɵ̝m- *mi[m/n] kɵ̝m-**mi köm-
sleep (n.) *kino̝m kinum kiˈnum kinum *kino̝m *kinum
two *[i]ɾo̝mɔ ilumo ɛˈrumːo irumo *ɾo̝mɔ *rumo
take/marry *si-mɔ- su-mo- *ti-mɔ-
paddle *ikɔ[ɾ/j] *ikɔj
stone *iɾɔp iɾop̚ irop
taro *wiɾɔp wirop *i-ɾɔp
scabies/tinea *iɾɔmbo̝t irombut*iɾɔmbo̝t
tooth *imban *imban
coconut *mbijan ˈbijɑn [jh] mbian *mbijan *bian
wind *kijapo̝j kiwi kiwuⁱ *kijawo̝j *kiwuy
sago palm stem *mbaŋgi mbaŋgi *mbaŋgi *bagi
old (person) *mbaɾi mbari *mbaɾi *bari
snake *ŋgʷati *ŋgʷati
bamboo knife *waki waɣi wɐgi wagi *waki *waki
bite *ati[k]- asi- [rw] atigo- *ati[k-m]ɔ-
sneeze *asin asiŋ-mo- [rw] asi-
daughter *matip matip *matip *matip
stairs/ladder *paɾik halik [rw] *waɾik
male *mbatim mbatim *mbatim *batim
bow *mbandit mandit [rw] mɐˈdiʀ *mbandit
claw/nail *mb[a][t/s]it mbisit biˈtir *mbatit
cuscus *takip tɑʁip̚ [jh] tɐˈɢip̚ *takip
widow/wife *saɾip salip [rw] saˈrip̚ sarip *taɾip *sarip
path *[ndz/j]andit dʒandit *jandit
night/dark *wamin wamin *wamin
egg *wandin wandin -ɪndin wandin *wandin
belly *wandin wandin *wandin *wadin
younger sister *[a]mbijat mbiat *ambijat *biat
head *kambijan *kambijan

High back rounded vowel /*u/ is fronted and merged with high front /i/ in North Wambon and in East Wambon:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*u i i i *u
stab/kill (fut.)*pu- hi- [hj] i- *u-
expel from body *tu- si- [rw] ti- *tu- *tü-
cook/burn *(a-)ndu- *andu-
chop down *ɾu- ri- *(a-)ɾu- *rü-
go down *ɾu- ri- *-ɾu- (?)
sing *ɾu- li- ri- *ɾu- *rü-
right (side) *up ʔip̚ [jh] ip̚ *up (?)
hit/kill *un- in-
back *mum miːm
name *pup hit [rw] ip *up *üp
smell *pup-(mo)- hip ip-mo *u-mɔ- *üp-mo-
banana *tut sit siːʀ tit *tut *tüt
sugarcane *kum kin *kum *küm
die (pres.) *kum- kim- kɛm- kim- *kum- *küm-
brain *ŋgun ŋgin
knee *mbuwɔm *mbuwɔm
heart *ndum-ɾɔp ndim-lop [rw] ndim-ndop*ndum-ɾɔp*dümrop
fly (n.) *umɔn-ɔp imonop *umɔn-ɔp *ümonop
rain *mo̝ɾup mirip *mo̝ɾup *mürüp
house/village *mbo̝tup mbisip mbitip *mbo̝tup *bütüp
root *ŋgo̝mbut *ŋgo̝mbut
black *ŋgo̝num *ŋgo̝num
stone axe *kɔɾu kori *kɔɾu *korü
child *amut amit [hj]
body/trunk *anduɾ andit *andu
yesterday *aɾup alip ariw amin*aɾuwa
thorn *aɾun alin ɐˈʀiŋ arin *aɾun *arün
thorn *aɾuk *aɾuk
hot *mamun mamin mɐmin mamin
beard *matut matit *matut *matit
elbow/eight *ŋgambum ŋgambim [rw] ŋgambin *ŋgambum *gabün
inside *wamup wamip
tail *wambut wambit [rw] wɐ:mbirwambit *wambut *wabüt
canoe *ja[p]un *jahun
garden *jakup jagip *jakup *yaküp
mucus *wakuɾa[ɾ/j] warigaᵉ *wakuɾaj

High mid front vowel /*e̝/ …:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*e̝ e [ɛ] ɛ [ɛ e]ɛ *e̝ *e
be *ke̝- kɛ- *-ke̝- *ke-
flower *ke̝t kɛt *ke̝t *ket
bird *je̝t et ˈɛʀ jɛt *e̝t *yet
rainbow *e̝ɾe̝n ɛrɛnajop
leech *te̝ɾe̝n selen sɛˈrɛn tɛrɛn *te̝ɾe̝n *teren
sharp *[k/ŋg]e̝te̝nketen [rw] ŋgɛt *ŋge̝te̝n *get
net bag *e̝nɔ[j] *e̝nɔ[j]
bamboo *pe̝kɔp heɣop [rw] ɛːˈɢop ɛgop
small *mbe̝ɾɔn mbɛron *mbe̝ɾɔn *beron
red *te̝n-ɔp tɛnop *te̝n-ɔp *tenop
foot *ke̝nɔp kenop [rw] kɛˈnɔp̚
eye *ke̝-ɾɔp kelop ˈkenoː kɛrop *ke̝-ɾɔp *kerop
urine *je̝t-ɔk et-ok [rw] ɛt-ˈok̚ jɛt-ok *e̝t-ɔk *yet=ok
see *pe̝t[a]k- hetak- sɛg- ɛtag- *[i/e̝]t[i/e̝]k-jɔ-*eto-/*iti-
mosquito *sɒpe̝n sowɛn *taje̝n-ɔp *sɔwen
eat (future) *ande̝- ande- ˈɐndɛ- *ande̝-
enough *kaɾe̝ karɛ *kaɾe̝- *kare
laughter *ambe̝n amben [rw] ɐnˈbɛn *ambe̝n
older brother *[a]ne̝t -net nɛt *ane̝t *net
wife *aŋge̝n *aŋge̝n
spirit *mbake̝t mbaɣet [hj]
cowrie shell *tak[e̝]t taɣet *tak[e̝]t
upper arm/nine*ndzape̝t dʒaβet jɐˈβɛt *taje̝t
friend *kambe̝n kambe [hj] *kambe̝n
saliva/spittle*kate̝t katɛt *kate̝t *katet
sweat *kʷate̝n kotɛn *kʷate̝n *koten
ashes *kʷase̝p kosɛp *kʷate̝p *kosep
tomorrow *jane̝n jan ŋga *jane̝n

High mid central rounded vowel /*ɵ̝/ is merged with the reflexes of high mid back /*o̝/ (below) in North Wambon and in East Wambon:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*ɵ̝ u u u *ɵ̝
dream *ɵ̝ɾ uⁱ *ɵ̝ *öy
hair/skull *mɵ̝k muk muk̚ muk *mɵ̝k
kunai grass *mbɵ̝p mbup [rw] mbup *mbɵ̝p *böp
1 sg. *nɵ̝kʷ nuk nuk̚ nup *nɵ̝p *nöp
corpse *tɵ̝k tuk [rw]
go up *tɵ̝ɾ- tut [hj] turu- *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝- *törö-
make fire *kɵ̝m- ugum- *kɵ̝m-
swallow *kɵ̝m- a-gumo *kɵ̝m- **köm-
and/also *kɵ̝p -kup -ɢup̚ -kup *-kɵ̝p *köp
fence/wall *kɵ̝k kuk *kɵ̝k *kök
2 sg. *ŋgɵ̝p ŋgup ɢup̚ ŋgup *ŋgɵ̝p *göp
voice/speech *ɾɵ̝k luk ʀuk ~ rukruk *[a]ɾɵ̝k *rök
3 sg. *jɵ̝p jup *jɵ̝p
fat/grease *tɵ̝kɵ̝ɾ tuɣut [rw] tuguⁱ *tɵ̝kɵ̝ *tököy
hide *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝k-mɔ- suluk-mo- [rw] turuk-oa *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝k-mɔ-*turuk-mo-
ear *t[u]ɾɵ̝n(-tɔp)silu-top siˈrun turu-top *tɵ̝ɾɵ̝n-tɔp*turu=top
wing *mbɔɾɵ̝ɾ mbuluk ko- [rw] mburuⁱ *mbɔɾɵ̝ *buruy
thunder *kɔmɵ̝t kumut [rw] kumut *kɔmɵ̝t *kumöt
raw/new *aɾɵ̝(-jɔk) alujok/alun [rw] ariok *aɾɵ̝
flesh *kandɵ̝ kandu *kandɵ̝
vomit *[a]kɵ̝[m/n] *akɵ̝[m/n]
get up/stand up*matɵ̝ɾ- matut [hj] moˈtɛr- matigo (?)*matɵ̝ɾɵ̝-
son *mandɵ̝p maːndup *mandɵ̝p *maadöp
heavy *kakɵ̝n kuɣun [hj] kagun *kakɵ̝n *kaakön
cough/phlegm *ŋganɵ̝m *ŋganɵ̝m
chin/jaw *ŋgandɵ̝m *ŋgandɵ̝m
sick/dead *watɵ̝k *watɵ̝k
now/today *kɔwandɵ̝t kowandut *kɔwandɵ̝t

High mid back rounded vowel /*o̝/ is raised to /u/ in North Wambon and in East Wambon.

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*o̝ u u u *o̝ *u
child *mo̝n mun *mo̝n *mun
milk *ko̝n kun *am-ko̝n *kun
sky *ko̝t kut kuʀ *ko̝t
navel/umbilicus*ŋgo̝m ŋgum *ŋgo̝m *gum
louse *ŋgo̝t ŋgut ɢut̚ ŋgut *ŋgo̝t *gut
island *ndo̝m ndum [rw] ndum *ndo̝m *dum
index finger/4 *ko̝ɾo̝ko̝t kurugut*ko̝ɾo̝ko̝t*kurukut-köp
sleep (n.) *kino̝m kinum kiˈnum kinum *kino̝m *kinum
two *[i]ɾo̝mɔ ilumo ɛˈrumːoirumo *ɾo̝mɔ *rumo
scabies/tinea *iɾɔmbo̝t irombut*iɾɔmbo̝t
wrist/six *kɔmo̝k kumuk ˈkumuɢ- *kɔmo̝k
smoke *jVɾo̝k uruk ˈiruk uruk *jaɾo̝k *uruk
thumb/five *aŋgʷo̝ aŋgu *aŋgʷo̝ *agu
ripe/yellow *amo̝[ɾ/j] amuⁱ *amo̝j
cold *saɾo̝[ɾ/j] saruⁱ *taɾo̝j
man/old man *kako̝p kagup *kako̝p
ghost *kako̝j kaguⁱ *ko̝ko̝ *kakuy
inside *k[a]ɾo̝p *k[a]ɾo̝p
female *ɾaŋgo̝j laŋguⁱ raŋguⁱ *ɾaŋgo̝j
crocodile *kajambo̝t *ke̝jambo̝t

High mid back rounded /*o̝/ is fronted to /i/ in Kenon and in East Wambon when followed by high back /*u/ in the next syllable:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandobo Healey
*o̝/_Cui ii *o̝
rain *mo̝ɾup mirip *mo̝ɾup *mürüp
house/village*mbo̝tup mbisip mbitip*mbo̝tup *bütüp
root *ŋgo̝mbut *ŋgo̝mbut
black *ŋgo̝num *ŋgo̝num

In one example …:

Wambon KenonKetumAgayopMandoboHealey
*o̝[j]u u o̝j*u
sago*ndo̝[j] ndu du ndun *ndo̝j *du(n)

Low mid front vowel /*ɛ/ …:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
e [ɛ] ɛ [ɛ e]ɛ *e
come *m[ɛ]- mɛ- *m[ɛ]- *me-
that *ɛp ep
eat (present)*ɛn- en- ɛn-
gall/bile *mɛn mɛn *mɛn *men
tendon/vein *mɛt met mɛt *tɛmɛt *met
chest *mbɛ[m/n] mbɛ-mit *mbɛ[n]-man
forearm/seven*mbɛn mben bɛŋ- mbɛn *mbɛn
this *mɛnɛ mɛnɛ *mɛnɛ *mene
side *mɛɾɛn mɛrɛŋ
penis *tɛŋgɛt teŋget [rw] tɛŋgɛt *tɛŋgɛt *teget
shy *tɛɾɛŋgɛt tɛrɛŋgɛt*tɛɾɛŋgɛt *tereget
skinny *pɛt-pɛt hele-wet [rw] *ɛt-ɛt
enemy *ɛndɔm ɛnˈdom ɛndom *ɛndɔm *edom
rat *t[ɛ]mɔn tɛmon *t[ɔ]mɔn *temon
nape *ŋgɔmbɛn ŋgombɛn *ŋgɛmbɛn

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

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
o o o ɔ *o
do/make *-mɔ- -mo- -mo- *-mɔ- *mo-
burn (intr.) *(a-)ndɔ- do- (u-)ndo *andɔ- *do-
dig *sɔ- a-so so- *tɔ- *so-
walk/go (pres.) *kɔ- ko- ko- *kɔ- *ko-
plant (v.) *ɾɔ- lo- [hj] *ɾɔ- *ro-
call *jɔ- jo- jo- *jɔ- *yo-
water *ɔk ok ɔg ok *ɔk *ok
mother's br. *mɔm mom *mɔm
hole *tɔp top top *-tɔp *top
nail *ndɔk -ˈtok̚ *ndɔk
dry *sɔk sok so̚g-
die (non-pres.) *kɔm- kom- [hj]
blood *ŋgɔm ŋgom rom ŋgom *ŋgɔm *gom
song *ŋgɔm ŋgom ŋgom *ŋgɔm *gom
arrow *ŋgɔp ŋgop *ŋgɔp *gop
weep/cry *ɾɔm- lom- [hj] rom- rom- *ɾɔm- *rom-/*rum-
fruit/seed *ɾɔp lop rop *ɾɔp *rop
hair/leaf/feather*ɾɔn lon ron *ɾɔn *ron
say/speak *ɾɔk- lok- rogo-
mat *jɔm jom *jɔm *yom
mother *jɔp -jop [hj] *jɔp
watch/guard *wɔ-mɔ- womo- *wɔmɔ- *womo-
roof *mɔndɔm *mɔndɔm
foot/leg *kɔndɔk kondok *kɔndɔk *kodok
stone axe *kɔɾu kori *kɔɾu *korü
one *ɔm[a/ɔ][ɾ/j] omaᵉ *ɔm[ɔ]j *omay
lightning *mbɔmban *mbɔmban
termite *tɔmaj tomae tomaᵉ *tɔmaj *tomay
bark/skin *kɔtaj kotaⁱ kotaᵉ *kɔtaj *kotay
white *kɔwat kowat qɐˈwɐʀ *kɔwat
lie/falsehood *kɔjap kojap [rw] kojap
now/today *kɔwandɵ̝t kowandut *kɔwandɵ̝t
paddle *ikɔ[ɾ/j] *ikɔj
stone *iɾɔp iɾop̚ irop
star/firefly *min-ɔp min-op [rw] ˈmin-ɔp̚ *min-ɔp
taro *wiɾɔp wirop *i-ɾɔp
heart *ndum-ɾɔp ndim-lop [rw] ndim-ndop*ndum-ɾɔp *dümrop
fly (n.) *umɔn-ɔp imonop *umɔn-ɔp *ümonop
net bag *e̝nɔ[j] *e̝nɔ[j]
bamboo *pe̝kɔp heɣop [rw] ɛːˈɢop ɛgop
small *mbe̝ɾɔn mbɛron *mbe̝ɾɔn *beron
red *te̝n-ɔp tɛnop *te̝n-ɔp *tenop
foot *ke̝nɔp kenop [rw] kɛˈnɔp̚
bandicoot *k[e̝]sɔ[t/ɾ]kosot [rw]
two *[i]ɾo̝mɔ ilumo ɛˈrumːo irumo *ɾo̝mɔ *rumo
enemy *ɛndɔm ɛnˈdom ɛndom *ɛndɔm *edom
rat *t[ɛ]mɔn tɛmon *t[ɔ]mɔn *temon
sharp/evil *kVjɔm kojom [hj] koˈjom kujom *ko̝jɔm *kuyom
mouth/chin *mb[ɒ/ɔ]nɔp mbonop [rw] mbonop
put down *paɾɔ- halo-
break/crush *kaɾɔ- karo-ndɛ *kaɾɔ-nde̝- *karo=ne-
vagina *a-tɔp a-top [rw] a-top *a-tɔp *atop
story/tradition *matɔm matom *matɔm *maatom
grandchild *mak-ɔp maɣop [rw] ˈmɐɢob̚ magop *mak-ɔp *maakop
mouth/jaw *maŋgɔt maŋgot maŋgot *maŋgɔt *magot
bird of paradise *pandɔ[ɾ/j] andoⁱ *wandɔj *wadoy
go (imperative) *na-kɔj naɣoⁱ
armpit *taŋgɔn taŋgo-top [rw] taŋgo top*taŋgɔn(-tɔp)*taagon top
flying fox *tawɔɾ tawot [rw] towoⁱ
finger *taɾɔn talon [rw]
widow *kamɔk *kamɔk
worm *kambɔt kɐmboˈtɐj [hj] *kambɔt
moon *wakɔɾ waɣot wɐˈɢoʀ wogoⁱ *wɔkɔj *wokoy
breadfruit *ɾawɔt lawot [rw] rɐˈbɔʀ rawot *ɾawɔt *rawot
torch *jaŋgɔt jaŋgot [rw] jaŋgot *e̝ŋgɔt *yagot
sick/ill *jambɔɾɔ jambolo-k- *jambɔɾɔ
tail of bird *ɒt[a]ɾɔn *ataɾɔn

Low mid back /*ɔ/ is raised to /u/ in North Wambon and in East Wambon when followed by high mid rounded vowels /*ɵ̝ *o̝/ in the next syllable:

Wambon Kenon Ketum AgayopMandoboHealey
*ɔ/_Cɵ̝ u *u
wing *mbɔɾɵ̝ɾ mbuluk ko- [rw] mburuⁱ*mbɔɾɵ̝*buruy
thunder *kɔmɵ̝t kumut [rw] kumut *kɔmɵ̝t*kumöt
*ɔ/_Co̝u u u
wrist/six*kɔmo̝k kumuk ˈkumuɢ- *kɔmo̝k

Several roots of the form /*CɔCaC/ are reflected as /CaCaC/ in Kokenop:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayop Mandobo Healey
*ɔCaoCa aCa*ɔCa
far *kɔmam komam [rw] qɐmː kamam *kɔmam *komam
incorrect*ŋgɔmbamŋgombam [rw] ŋgamban*ŋgɔmbam*gobam

When followed by /*j/, low mid back rounded /*ɔ/ is raised and fronted to /i/ in Wambon and gains an offglide to become /oᵘ/ in Mandobo; we presume the difference in Kokenop reflexes to result from …

Wambon KenonKetumAgayopMandobo Healey
*o/_ji u *…
mother*… -i -oⁱ *awo̝j
wind *kijapo̝jkiwi kiwuⁱ *kijawo̝j*kiwuy

Low back rounded vowel /*ɒ/ is uncommon. It is merged with the reflexes of low mid /*ɔ/ in North Wambon and in East Wambon and with those of low central /*a/ in Mandobo:

Wambon KenonKetum AgayopMandobo Healey
oo [ ]o *a
breast *ɒm om ɔm om *am *ɔm
excrement *ɒɾ ot ɔ̃: oⁱ *aj *ɔy
not/nothing *ndɒj ndoⁱ dɔː ndoⁱ *nd[a/ɔ]j *dɔy
mosquito *sɒpe̝n sowɛn *taje̝n-ɔp*sɔwen
tail of bird*ɒt[a]ɾɔn *ataɾɔn

Low central vowel /*a/ is generally preserved as such in all descendants, excepting some Mandobo dialects which …, a development which postdates proto-Mandobo:

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo Healey
*a a [a ɑ] a *a *a
sit/stay *mba- mba- mba- *mba- *ba-
eat (imperative)*na na
1 sg. poss. *na- na- na *na
walk/go (n.p.) *ka- ka- ɐ- ~ -gɐ- *ka-
break/snap *ŋgʷa- ŋgande [rw] ŋgandɛ *ŋgʷa-nde̝- *gwa=ne-
crippled/lame *wa *wa
house/nest *ap ap ɐp̚ ap *-ap (?)
shoulder/ten *mak mak *mak *mak
father *mbap mbap [hj] *mbap
hear *ndat- ndat- dɐɾ- ndat- *ndat **dat-
skin/bark *kat kat gɐɾ ~ qɐʀ *-kat
outside *kat kat *kat *kat
friend *kaj na-ɣaⁱ [hj] ˈqɐjɛn kaᵉ
frog *kʷak kak *kʷak *koak
calf *wan wan *wan *wan
left *wak ɥɑq̚ [jh] wɐɣ- *wak
take/hold *ɾap- lap- rap- *ɾap-
woman *ɾan lan ɾɐŋ ran *ɾan *ran
father's father *[a]mbaj ambaⁱ [rw] mbaᵉ *ambaj
who? *[a]kʷap ɐˈɣɛp̚ agap *kʷap
dog *aŋgaj aŋgaⁱ aŋgaᵉ *aŋgaj *agay
yellow *t[a]jan tɐjɐn
slippery *ndaɾa[t/ɾ]- ndalat-ke [rw] ndaragaᵉ
fence *ndaɾak ndɑrɑq [jh] *ndaɾak
palate *kana[m/n] kanaŋ-git *kana[m/n]
fish *ɾakʷaj laɣaⁱ ragaᵉ *ɾakʷaj **rokay
lip(s) *mbaɾa[m/n]-kat mbaŋgat bɐŋˈkɐr mbaraŋgat *mbaŋgaj
sago palm stem *mbaŋgi mbaŋgi *mbaŋgi *bagi
old (person) *mbaɾi mbari *mbaɾi *bari
snake *ŋgʷati *ŋgʷati
bamboo knife *waki waɣi wɐgi wagi *waki *waki
bite *ati[k]- asi- [rw] atigo- *ati[k-m]ɔ-
sneeze *asin asiŋ-mo- [rw] asi-
daughter *matip matip *matip *matip
stairs/ladder *paɾik halik [rw] *waɾik
male *mbatim mbatim *mbatim *batim
bow *mbandit mandit [rw] mɐˈdiʀ *mbandit
cuscus *takip tɑʁip̚ [jh] tɐˈɢip̚ *takip
widow/wife *saɾip salip [rw] saˈrip̚ sarip *taɾip *sarip
path *[ndz/j]andit dʒandit *jandit
night/dark *wamin wamin *wamin
egg *wandin wandin -ɪndin wandin *wandin
belly *wandin wandin *wandin *wadin
younger sister *[a]mbijat mbiat *ambijat *biat
head *kambijan *kambijan
theft *kamb[i/u]ɾ kambit [rw] kambir
child *amut amit [hj]
yesterday *aɾup alip ariw amin *aɾuwa
thorn *aɾun alin ɐˈʀiŋ arin *aɾun *arün
thorn *aɾuk *aɾuk
hot *mamun mamin mɐmin mamin
beard *matut matit *matut *matit
elbow/eight *ŋgambum ŋgambim [rw] ŋgambin *ŋgambum *gabün
inside *wamup wamip
tail *wambut wambit [rw] wɐ:mbir wambit *wambut *wabüt
canoe *ja[p]un *jahun
garden *jakup jagip *jakup *yaküp
mucus *wakuɾa[ɾ/j] warigaᵉ *wakuɾaj
eat (future) *ande̝- ande- ˈɐndɛ- *ande̝-
enough *kaɾe̝ karɛ *kaɾe̝- *kare
laughter *ambe̝n amben [rw] ɐnˈbɛn *ambe̝n
spirit *mbake̝t mbaɣet [hj]
cowrie shell *tak[e̝]t taɣet *tak[e̝]t
upper arm/nine *ndzape̝t dʒaβet jɐˈβɛt *taje̝t
friend *kambe̝n kambe [hj] *kambe̝n
saliva/spittle *kate̝t katɛt *kate̝t *katet
tomorrow *jane̝n jan ŋga *jane̝n
scar *at[e̝/ɛ][t/ɾ] atet [rw] atɛrɛm
raw/new *aɾɵ̝(-jɔk) alujok/alun [rw] ariok *aɾɵ̝
flesh *kandɵ̝ kandu *kandɵ̝
get up/stand up *matɵ̝ɾ- matut [hj] moˈtɛr- matigo (?)*matɵ̝ɾɵ̝-
son *mandɵ̝p maːndup *mandɵ̝p *maadöp
heavy *kakɵ̝n kuɣun [hj] kagun *kakɵ̝n *kaakön
cough/phlegm *ŋganɵ̝m *ŋganɵ̝m
chin/jaw *ŋgandɵ̝m *ŋgandɵ̝m
sick/dead *watɵ̝k *watɵ̝k
gather *jaŋg[ɵ̝/o̝]-mɔ-jaŋgumo- [rw] jaŋgumo-
nose *taŋgo̝t toŋgot *taŋgo̝t *togut
thumb/five *aŋgʷo̝ aŋgu *aŋgʷo̝ *agu
ripe/yellow *amo̝[ɾ/j] amuⁱ *amo̝j
cold *saɾo̝[ɾ/j] saruⁱ *taɾo̝j
man/old man *kako̝p kagup *kako̝p
ghost *kako̝j kaguⁱ *ko̝ko̝ *kakuy
inside *k[a]ɾo̝p *k[a]ɾo̝p
female *ɾaŋgo̝j laŋguⁱ raŋguⁱ *ɾaŋgo̝j
put down *paɾɔ- halo-
vagina *a-tɔp a-top [rw] a-top *a-tɔp *atop
story/tradition *matɔm matom *matɔm *maatom
grandchild *mak-ɔp maɣop [rw] ˈmɐɢob̚ magop *mak-ɔp *maakop
mouth/jaw *maŋgɔt maŋgot maŋgot *maŋgɔt *magot
bird of paradise*pandɔ[ɾ/j] andoⁱ *wandɔj *wadoy
tongue *pa[wɔ]n han-op [rw] ɐŋ-ˈkɐr an-op *wa[wɔ]n(-kat)
go (imperative) *na-kɔj naɣoⁱ
armpit *taŋgɔn (tɔp) taŋgo-top [rw] taŋgo top *taŋgɔn (tɔp) *taagon top
flying fox *tawɔɾ tawot [rw] towoⁱ
finger *taɾɔn talon [rw]
widow *kamɔk *kamɔk
worm *kambɔt kɐmboˈtɐj [hj] *kambɔt
breadfruit *ɾawɔt lawot [rw] rɐˈbɔʀ rawot *ɾawɔt *rawot
tie/bind *and[awɔ]p- andop [hj] ɐnˈdɐb- andap-
sick/ill *jambɔɾɔ jambolo-k- *jambɔɾɔ
tooth *imban *imban
mouse/rat *s[e̝]k[o̝]nap sɛɢˈnɑp [jh] sogonap *to̝ko̝n-ɔp *sukunaap
spider *at[o̝]wan asowan [rw] suwan *ato̝wan *sukan/*suwan
light/clear *[ɔ]ndzat dʒat rat *ɔɾat *rat
lightning *mbɔmban *mbɔmban
knowledge *n[ɔ]pam *nɔwam
termite *tɔmaj tomae tomaᵉ *tɔmaj *tomay
far *kɔmam komam [rw] qɐmː kamam *kɔmam *komam
neck *k[ɔ]man *kɔman
bark/skin *kɔtaj kotaⁱ kotaᵉ *kɔtaj *kotay
white *kɔwat kowat qɐˈwɐʀ *kɔwat
lie/falsehood *kɔjap kojap [rw] kojap
incorrect *ŋgɔmbam ŋgombam [rw] ŋgamban *ŋgɔmbam *gobam
daughter *t[ɒ/ɔ]mba-ɾan tombalan [hj]
now/today *kɔwandɵ̝t kowandut *kɔwandɵ̝t

Low central vowel /*a/ is fronted and raised to /ɛ/ in Mandobo when preceded by /*j/:

Wambon Kenon KetumAgayopMandobo Healey
*a/j_a [a ɑ] a *…
torch *jaŋgɔt jaŋgot [rw] jaŋgot*e̝ŋgɔt *yagot
*a/j_a [a ɑ] a *…
sun/day*sajat sat sat *t[e̝jɛ]t*seat

Pronouns

Dumut nominative pronouns are reconstructed as follows, with Kenon forms drawn from de Vries and de Vries-Wiersma (1992: 41-42,) Ketum from Jang (2003: 40,) Kokenop and Mandobo from Drabbe (1959: 180-181,) Oàmbon Dumut from Drabbe (1954: 162-163) and South Mandobo of Kaisah from Lebold, Kriens and Susanto (2013: 38):

Wambon Kenon Ketum Agayop Mandobo
1 sg.*nɵ̝kʷ nuk nuk̚ nup *nɵ̝p
2 sg.*ŋgɵ̝p ŋgup ɢup̚ ŋgup *ŋgɵ̝p
3 sg.*ɛkɛp; *jɵ̝pneɣep ɛˈɢɛp̚ jup *jɵ̝p; *ɛkɛ(p)
1 pl.*naŋgVp noɣop nɛˈɢip̚naŋgup *naŋgup
2 pl.*ŋgaŋgVp ŋgoɣopgɛˈɢip̚ŋgaŋgup*ŋgaŋgip
3 pl.*jakVp dʒaɣopjɐˈɢop̚jaŋgup *jaŋgip

Wambon's final /*k/ in the first person singular is unexpected; final /*p/ is supported by outcomparison to Ndeiram River /*nup/ and Becking River /*nup/.

Plural forms develop irregularly in all descendants. Kenon Wambon's medial [ɣ] regularly reflects /*k/, not /*ŋg/, but as both Awyu and Ndeiram River forms are reconstructed with /*ŋg/, we must conclude the Kenon forms irregular. Conversely, Awyu third person plural /*jɔxɔ/ reflects /*jakɔp/, not /*jaŋgɔp/. Comparison of this form to Kombai /ja/ shows the augment /*kɔp/, perhaps identical to the word for “man,” to be separable, as the augment sof the first and second plurals must likewise be by comparison to the singulars.

Two possibilities present themselves: either either augment could occur on any base, with Kenon Wambon using /*kɔp/, South Dumut /*ŋg[ʉ/u]p/, and Awyu using the one on the third person and the other on the first and second persons, or both Kenon and South Dumut have altered one or the other set by analogy. Our reconstruction here assumes the latter scenario. In this light, Ketum Wambon can be viewed as a transitional stage, in which /*ŋg/ in the first and second person augments has been regularized to /k/ [ɢ], but the reflex of /*ʉ/ [i] has not yet been levelled to /o/ as occurs in Kenon.

Possessive forms are reconstructed as follows. De Vries and de Vreis-Wiersma's Kenon Wambon forms are mandatorily prefixed. Oàmbon Dumut forms are drawn from Drabbe (1954: 211-212.) No possessive forms for Ketum Wambon or for South Mandobo of Kaisah are given in Jang (2003) or Lebold, Kriens and Susanto (2013) respectively:

WambonKenon AgayopMandobo
1 sg.*na na- na *…
2 sg.*ŋga ŋga- ŋgo *…
3 sg. neɣo- ja *…
1 pl. noɣo- naŋgo *…
2 pl. ŋgoɣo-ŋgaŋgo*…
3 pl. dʒaɣo-jaŋgo *…

Verbal morphology

[under construction]

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…. realis … (Wester 1014: 106-107) …

…. future … (Wester 1014: 113-116) …

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Loans from neighboring families

[under construction]

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… loans from Lowland Ok …

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…. loans from …

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… loans from Marind-Yaqay …

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