Marind

Timothy Usher, Santa Fe Institute

Situation

The Marind family consists of as many as five closely related languages spoken by 6,000-7,000 people (1955) living in the plains along and inland from the coast from the Marianne Strait in the west to the Maro river to the east, just west of the Papua New Guinea border, in the Merauke, Muting, Kurik and Okaba subdistricts of the Merauke regency of Indonesia's Papua province (Boelaars 1950: 1, Drabbe 1955: 13; q.v. Drabbe 1955: 190, Nevermann 1939: 2, Kriens 2003: 5, Sohn 2006: 4, Sohn, Lebold and Kriens 2009: 7, Lebold, Kriens and de Vries 2010: 7.)

Drabbe (1955: 13-15) divides the coastal Marind area from east to west into five regions, Ngawir between the Papuan border and the Maro (Maroh,) Rahuk between the Maro and the Kumbe (Kumb) river, an unnamed region between the Kumbe and the Bian (Mbian) river, Dali between the Bian and the Bulaka (Mbulàka) river, and Imah between the Bulaka and Marianne Strait (Mulì.) Marind languages are also spoken inland along the Kumbe, Eli and Bian rivers.

The internal distribution of Marind languages suggests the family to have originated in the northeastern portion of their current range, an assumption in accord with the locations of Marind's nearest relatives, Yaqay-Warkay and Lake Murray (Boazi-Zimakani.) The reconstruction of Awyu in particular necessitates a history of contact with proto-Marind or proto-Marind-Yaqay, while the southward expansions of Awyu, Dumut and Lowland Ok occured in relatively recent times. It's also probable that Marind's vowel harmony rules, along with Marind-Yaqay's deocclusion of Fly River's bilabial fricative, codeveloped with those of Lowland Ok. Thus it is reasonable to assume that proto-Marind-Yaqay was originally spoken near where the southernmost Mandobo dialects are spoken today, just west of the Fly River along which the other members of the Fly River family were located.

More recently, the westernmost dialects have had extensive contact with and have significantly influenced the unrelated Bulaka River languages and the only distantly related languages of the Kolopom and South Marianne Strait families (q.v. Geurtjens 1933: 398-433,) while the southeast dialect has very significantly influenced Moraori, a Kolopom language that was very likely separated from its nearest relatives to the west by the southward intrusion of the Marind.

Subclassification

[under construction]

Drabbe (1955: 13-15) distinguishes five dialects of Marind with locations as follows:

Marind

Mbian – Bian river

Kumb – Kumbe river

Ooster (East) – coast east of the Maro river and between the Maro and the Kumbe

Wester (West) – coast between the Kumbe river and Marianne Strait

Atìh – Sangahè (Sanggase) village on the coast to Jaimu (Yawimu) inland of the West dialect region

Drabbe's fivefold division is supported by the results of recent surveys by members of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (Lebold, Kriens and de Vries 2010: 22-24, 27-29, 29-30.) It is our opinion that Lebold, Kriens and de Vries' (pp. 22-24) speaker judgments are more reliable than their lexical similarity calculations (pp. 27-29) and that the speech varieties of Makeling, Iwol and Alaku villages should be considered to belong to the West Marind dialect rather than with Atih.

The internal classification of Marind is as follows:

Marind

Bian River Marind

Central Marind

Kumbe River Marind

Southeast Marind

Atih

West Marind

Of these, (Upper) Bian River is the most lexically divergent, with the other four dialects forming a Central Marind subgroup. The Atih and West dialects are very similar phonologically …. West Marind is distinguished from Southeast Marind primarily by the dispositions of non-stops, which codevelop with those of Maklew of the Bulaka River family to the west. Kumbe River is distinguished from Southeast Marind primarily by the presence in Kumbe River of a number of vocabulary terms otherwise found only in Bian River, a chaining pattern which suggests some remaining degree of mutual comprehensibility between all varieties of Marind.

…isoglosses…:

MarindMbianKumbEastAtihWest
*…

Sources

[under construction]

Ray (1907: 391-412) … comparative terms for Tugeri after Montague (n.d.)

van der Kolk and Vertenten (1922) dictionary of Marindineesch

van der Kolk (1926) Marindineesch kin terms

Geurtjens (1926) Marindineesch grammar (unobtained)

Geurtjens (1933: 46-350) dictionary of Marindineesch (Gawir, i.e. Southeast Marind,) (pp. 373-383) 591 comparative terms for Sangaseesch (Atih,) (pp. 385-395) 693 comparative terms for Boven-Biansch (Mbian) and (pp. 398-433) 455 comparative terms for Marindineesch, occasional Imâh (West Marind) terms throughout

Nevermann (1939: 15, …) … for Marind-anim (Southeast Marind)

Boelaars (1950: 1-18) English-language recension of Drabbe's unpublished grammar of Gawir (Southeast Marind)

Drabbe (1954: 99-117) grammar of Boven-Mbian of Kolam village and (pp. 128-142) 427 comparative terms for Boven-Mbian and Gawir (Southeast Marind)

Drabbe (1955: ibid.) grammar of East Marind of Urumb village and (pp. 148-151) 98 comparative terms for Ooster (East,) Wester (West,) Atih, Kumb and Mbian dialects

Donohue (1996) 159 comparative terms for Kuler (Southeast Marind) and Sanayu (Kumbe) villages

Sohn, Lebold and Kriens (2009: 31-42) 204 comparative terms for Matara village (Southeast Marind)

Lebold, Kriens and de Vries (2010: 46-56) 240 comparative terms for Alaku, (West Marind,) Ihalik (Atih,) Kaptel (A) and Sanggase (A) villages and 69 comparative terms for Alatepi (A,) Boepe/Kwemsid (A,) Dufmira (W,) Iwol (W,) Kaniskobat (A,) Makaling (W,) Nakias (A,) Okaba (W,) Poepe (A,) Tagaepe (A) and Wambi (W) villages

Olsson (2015) Marind verbal objects

Olsson (2015) 215 comparative terms for Duvmirav village (West Marind) in Carroll ed.

Olsson (2015) 912 terms for Wambi village (West Marind)

Olsson (2016) Marind resultatives

Olsson (2016) Marind gender

Historical phonology

[under construction]

Proto-Marind had 17 consonants and 5 vowels as follows:

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

The reflexes of nasals, stops and fricatives remain stable throughout the family, but the those of non-stops /*w *ɾ *j *ɣ/ vary substantially between dialects (q.v. Drabbe 1955: 14-15,) with the western dialects generally agreeing with Maklew and the northeastern ones with Boazi (q.v. Drabbe 1950: 566-574, 1954: 128-142, 1955: 148-151.)

The contrast between /*h *ɣ/ is unusual in New Guinea; here /*h/ reflects Fly River bilabial fricative /*ɸ/.

Internal distributions and comparison to other Fly River families suggest the contrast between plain voiced and prenasalized stops to be of relatively recent origin, with Fly River prenasalized stops /*mb *nd *ŋg/ yielding Marind /*b *d *ɣ/ initially and /*mb *nd *ŋg/ medially, the phonemic difference between the two having been established by loanwords from the Morehead River family to the east and compounding.

Drabbe (1954) distinguishes closed [e] <é> from open [ɛ] <e>, but this distinction is drawn by default throughout much of his New Guinea corpus, and in (1955: 15) is explicitly denied to be contrastive.

Any consonant can occur initially, medially or finally. There are no consonant clusters except across morpheme boundaries.

Any vowel can occur initially, medially or finally. Unlike consonants, vowels can occur sequentially. Vowel length is indicated in Drabbe (1954,) but in (1955: 15) is explicitly denied to be contrastive.

Stress falls on the final syllable of the root, as it does in the distantly-related Lowland Ok family to the northeast; Drabbe (1955: 16) characterizes this as a rise in pitch or tone. Trisyllablic roots receive secondary stress on the initial syllable, leading to syncope and the formation of medial consonant clusters in Mbian and Kumb. Probably most families with regular root-final stress reflect penultimate stress in words previously of the form /*(C)V'CVCV/, and in this instance we know this to be true from the absorption of pre-Fly River postposed gender articles /*e *u *i/ into the root (below) followed by the dropping of the articles; however, this may have already been the case by the time of proto-Fly River.

Diphthongs are phonetically distinguished from other vowel sequences by stress, as final sequences /*V₁V₂(C)/ are realized as [V₁'V₂(C)] but diphthongs as ['V₁ᵛ₂(C)]. Conversely, sequences /*ia *ua/, which are found only initially, are realized as semivowel-initial syllables [ja wa], as is the sequence /*ui/ [wi] if not preceded by a consonant. The distinction between these three types is secondary, as, despite the different assignment of stress, their qualities are in no instance contrastive. Which sequences are realized as diphthongs, which with initial semivowels and which as distinct syllables is predictable according to a ranking rule by which stress is preferentially assigned to the either the first or second member of the sequence in the following order: /*a *o *e *i *u/. The same order governs the assignation of stress in the diphthongs given for East Marind in Drabbe (1955: 15-16) with only one exception (below.) The phonetic realizations of observed vowel sequences are as follows:

*a *o *e *i *u
*a ? *aᵉ *aⁱ *aᵘ
*o *oa ? ? *oᵘ
*e *ea *eo *eⁱ ?
*i *ⁱa ? ? *iᵘ
*u *ᵘa ? ? *ᵘi/*ui

As suggested by the realization of /*ui/ as [*ᵘi] or [*ui] depending upon whether it is root-initial or follows a consonant, it's probable that the distinction in stress between [*ᵘa *ⁱa] on the one hand and [*oa *ea *eo] on the other can be reduced to the conditioned variation of a single subtype. Drabbe's (1955: 150-151) comparative vocabularies give <eo> in initial /*eoɣ/ 2 pl., but this root as given as <ᵉoh> in the grammar of the East dialect (pp. 15-16,) and otherwise the difference between these two groups can be explained by the same rule which governs the disposition of /*ui/, as sequences /*ua *ia/ are attested only intially, while /*ea *oa/ have been observed only following consonants.

There are two remaining inconsistencies. The first is that Drabbe (p. 16) gives /*mui/ “flesh” as East [muⁱ] rather than [mu'i]. However, /*ŋgui/ “tail” is given as [ŋgu'i] in Mbian (1954: 136,) and diphthong [uⁱ] isn't otherwise indicated in the comparative vocabularies. The second is that what would otherwise be reconstructed as /*koi/ “lime” is given as [ko'i] in Sohn, Lebold and Kriens' Matara (2009: 34.) As Sohn et al. give Moraori [kwuoi] alongside it, it's probable that the Marind term was really /*kuoi/ or the like, as sequences of three vowels are not construed as single syllables.

Sequences which are realized as diphthongs are broadly similar in range to those of proto-Awyu, which does not otherwise allow sequential vowels. It's possible that contact with Awyu influenced the development of these segments in Marind.


Consonants correspond as follows:

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*m m m m m m
*n n n n n n
*p p p p p p
*t t t t t t
*k k k k k k
*b b b b b b
*d d d d d d
*g g g g g g
*mb mb mb mb mb mb
*nd nd nd nd nd nd
*ŋg ŋg ŋg ŋg ŋg ŋg
*s s s s s s
*h h h h h h
*w v v v
l ɾ ɾ l l
*j z z z
ɣ h h ʕ ɣ

Vowels and vowel sequences correspond as follows:

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*i i i i i i
*i₂ a i i i i
*u u u u u u
*u₂ a u u u u
*e e e e e e
*o o o o o o
*a a a a a a
*iu iᵘ iᵘ iᵘ iᵘ iᵘ
*ei eⁱ eⁱ eⁱ eⁱ eⁱ
*ou oᵘ aᵘ aᵘ aᵘ aᵘ
*ai eⁱ aⁱ aⁱ aⁱ aⁱ
*au aᵘ aᵘ aᵘ aᵘ aᵘ
*ae aᵉ aᵉ e e e
*ia ia ia ia ia ia
*ui ui ui ui ui ui
*ua ua ua ua ua ua
*eo eo eo eo eo eo
*ea ea ea ea aⁱa aⁱa
*oa oa ? oa ? ?
*V₁CV₁ V₁CV₁ V₁CV₁ V₁CV₁ V₁CV₁ V₁CV₁
*aCV₁ aCV₁ aCV₁ aCV₁ aCV₁ aCV₁
*V₁Ca V₁Ca V₁Ca V₁Ca V₁Ca V₁Ca
*iCu iCi uCu uCu uCu uCu
*CeCi CeCi ? CaCi ? ?
*CeCu CeCu ? CaCu ? ?
*CeCa CeCa CaCa CaCa CaCa CaCa
*oCi uCi uCi uCi uCi oCi
*haCV hCV haCV haCV haCV haCV
*ahV hV ahV ahV ahV ahV
*VCVCV VCCV VCCV VCVCV VCVCV VCVCV

These correspondences are exemplified as follows, with all attestations drawn from Drabbe (1954: 99-117, 128-142, 1955: ibid., 148-151) unless otherwise specified. Examples based solely upon (1954) will include attestations only in East and Mbian dialects; thus their lack of exemplification in other dialects is not necessarily meaningful.

Drabbe (1954) distinguishes open and close mid front vowels [ɛ e] as well as vowel length. Because these are not contrastive (Drabbe 1955: 15,) and aren't particularly indicative of anything else, they have been eliminated in our recapitulations below. Stress, while not consistently indicated, is shown here because it is sometimes contrastive due to inflection and compounding (Drabbe 1955: 16.) Drabbe's <r> is represented here as <ɾ>.

Boven-Mbiansch (Bian,) Gawir (Southeast Marind) and Sangaseesch (Atih) attestations drawn from Geurtjens (1933) are indicated with [hg]. Matara village (Southeast Marind) forms from Sohn, Lebold and Kriens (2009: 31-42) are indicated with [ms] and Atih and West Marind attestations from Lebold, Kriens and de Vries (2010: 46-56) as [rl]. These are simplified and regularized to conform with the orthographical conventions described above. West Marind forms drawn from Olsson (2015) are indicated with [bo].



For the purposes of our reconstruction below, our sources are correlated to dialects as follows:

Geurtjens Drabbe 1954Drabbe 1955Lebold et al.Sohn et al.
Bian River Boven-BianschBoven-MbianMbian
Kumbe RiverKumb
Southeast Gawir Gawir Ooster
Atih Sangaseesch Atih
West Coast Imâz Wester


Nasals /*m *n/ are invariable across dialects and occur in all positions.

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

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*m- m m m m m
base/molar *mit mit mit [+hg]
be crooked (3 sg.) *mik-e-w mik-e-v [hg] mik-e-ø [hg] mik-e-h [bo]
knee *mig mig mig [+hg] mig ~ mig̚ [rl] mig [bo]
be sitting (sg.) *miɾ miɾ [hg] mil [bo]
village *miɾaw mi'laf mi'ɾav [pd]  miɾáv [hg] mi'lah [rl] milah [bo]
bow *mij miz miz miz [+hg] mih mih [+bo]
tree sp. *mijaɾ mizaɾ [hg] mihal [bo]
know *mea[i/e] me'ai me'ae [pd]
méai [hg]
ma'jaj ~ mɛjaj [rl] majaj [bo]
speech/voice *mean me'an mean ~ men me'an [pd]
méen [hg]
majan [pd]
ma'jan ~ mɛjan [rl]
majan [+bo]
lean (3 sg.) *me-ø-ab mj-ab [hg] me-ø-b [hg] me-ø-b [bo]
perfective *mend- mend- mend- [bo]
old/ripe/dry *mes mes mes [+hg] mes [rl] mes [bo]
old woman *mes iuag 'mes-iwag 'mes-iwag [pd]
més-iwâg [hg]
mes-iwag [bo]
way *meŋg meŋg [hg] -meŋ [rl] meŋ [rl]
garden *mVɾu mulu [hg] maɾu [+hg] ma'lu [rl] malu [bo]
future *ma- ma- ma- [bo]
braid(s) *maiub majub [hg] majub [bo]
sago bark *mam mam [hg] mam [bo]
lotus sp. *mamat mamat [hg] mamat [bo]
savanna *mamui mamui [hg] mamuj [bo]
rat *mambit ma'mbit [+hg] mambit [rl]
pinch/trap (3 sg.) *matap-e-b matap-e-b [hg] matap-e-b [bo]
shade/shadow *matuɾ matuɾ [hg] matul [bo]
come (sg.) *ma[n] ma man man [+hg] man man [+bo]
wife's brother *mandaɣ manda [hg] mandaɣ [bo]
moon *mandou mandoᵘ ~
ma'ndow
mandaᵘ mandaᵘ ~
ma'ndaw [pd]
mandow [hg]
mandaᵘ mandaᵘ [pd]
mandaw [bo]
lean/be bent (3 sg.)*maset-o-k masét-o-k [hg] maset-o-k [bo]
bend (tr.) *masud masud [hg] masud [bo]
bend (intr.) *masuk masuk [hg] masuk [bo]
earth/below *mak[a/o]n ma'kan makon ~ makanma'kan makan makan
egg *magaw ma'gaf
tooth/teeth *maŋgat maŋgat maŋgat [+hg] maŋgat maŋgat [+bo]
get angry *mahid mahid [hg] mahid [bo]
dance *mahai mahai [hg] mahaj [bo]
far *mahut ma'hut
goura pigeon *mahuk mhuk mahuk mahuk [+hg] mahuk maɣuk [pd]
mahuk [bo]
Marind *maɾi[n/nd] maɾind [hg] malin- [bo]
rainbow *maɾ[e/o]b maleb [+hg] maɾob [hg]
plant sp. *maɾ[o]b maɾob [hg] malob [bo]
body decor. *maɣi mahi [hg] maɣi [bo]
first *maɣai maɣai ~ majĕ [hg] mahai [hg] maé [hg]
mucus *mo[m/mb] mom momb [pd]
mómb [hg]
mom [bo]
fruit *mokom mo'kom
widow/widower *moɣa 'moɣa 'moha
flesh/meat *mui mui ~ muj [pd}
mui [hg]
mui mui [pd]
muj [bo]
tree sp. *mumb[a]ɾ[a] mumbɾ [hg] mumbala [bo]
elbow *muk muk [+hg] muk [+hg] muk̚ ~ mug̚ [rl] muk [bo]
buzz/hum *muŋgew muŋgev [hg] muŋgeh [bo]
*-m- m m m m m
pandanus sp. *iuma juma [hg] juma [bo]
Imah *imaj imaz imah
sago petiole *ij[e]mi iz'mi [pd]
izmi [hg]
izimi [hg] ihémi [hg] ihimi [bo]
hunger *emeɾ emeɾ [pd]
eméɾ [hg]
emel [bo]
grandfather *amai
kunai grass *omasa oma'sa [+hg] om'sa [rl] umasa [bo]
cloud/sky *omom o'mom [pd]
óm-om [hg]
omom [rl] omom [bo]
spread mat *omos omos [hg] omos [bo]
sweet coconut *uimap wimap [hg] wimap [bo]
stand up (pl.) *uaɣaman wahaman [hg] waɣaman [bo]
leave (3 sg.) *um-u-w um-u-v um-u-v um-u-v [+hg] um-u-h um-u-h [+bo]
lotus sp. *mamat mamat [hg] mamat [bo]
savanna *mamui mamui [hg] mamuj [bo]
termite mound *bomi bomi [hg] bomi [bo]
friend *namek namek namek
now/today *nama na'ma nama ~ namha nama nama nama
animal *namakud namakud namkud
nipa palm *temu ta'mu [+hg]
nape *temuk te'muk
betel pepper *dadami[h] 'dad(ə)mi(h) [rl] dadami [bo]
orphan *ndamom da'mom nda'mom
scabies *samani 'samani samani [+hg] samani [bo]
inside *kVmaɣ ke'maɣ ku'mah kumaɣ
make *kamin ka'min ka'min
pick up (3 sg.) *k-um-u-w k-u'm-u-v k-u'm-u-v [+hg]
tusk of pig *gom[a]n[a] gomn ~ gomaɾ [hg] gomna [bo]
ashes *gum[a]n[a] gum gum [+hg] gu:mn ~ goᵘm [rl] gumna [bo]
sago with fish *ŋgaɾamo gaɾamo ~
ŋgaɾamo [hg]
ŋgaɾamo [bo]
sit down (pl.) *haman háman [hg] haman [bo]
remove clothes *waman vaman [hg] hʷaman [bo]
stand (one leg) *waɣamin vaɣmin [hg] vahamin [hg]
brain(s) *ɣaum[o/u] 'haumu [pd]
haumó [hg]
ɣomu [bo]
approach/meet *ɣoman hóman [hg] ɣoman [bo]
*-m m m m m m
axe *imbasom imba'som [pd]
basom ~
mbasom [hg]
'imbasom [rl]
tongue *inum i'nim unum unum ~ u'nom unum unum
younger sib *am am
person/people *anim anim anim [+hg] a'nim [rl] anim [bo]
man *anem anem a'nem [md] anem [+hg] a'nem [rl] anem [bo]
woman *anum anum a'num [md] anum [+hg] anum [rl] anum [bo]
cloud/sky *omom o'mom [pd]
óm-om [hg]
omom [rl] omom [bo]
morning star *owom ovom [hg] ohom [rl] ohom [bo]
sago bark *mam mam [hg] mam [bo]
fruit *mokom mo'kom
candlenut *paium pim [hg] pajum [hg] pajum [bo]
pigeon sp. *bewom ve'vom [pd]
bévom [hg]
behom [bo]
cuscus sp. *mbeam be'am bajam [hg] mba'jam [rl] mba'jam [rl]
come (pl.) *naɣam naham [+hg] naɣam [bo]
navel *dekum de'kum da'kum
orphan *ndamom da'mom nda'mom
wallaby *saɣam sa'ɣam saham sa'ham saʔam saɣam
defecate *keɾim ke'lim ka'ɾim
husband *jam zam zam zam ham ham
wife *jum zum zum zum hʲum hʲum
belly *ɣandam handam ha'ndam andam ɣandam

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

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*n- n n n n n
turtledove sp. *nipu nipu [hg] nipu [bo]
lie down (dist.) *nin nin [hg] nin [bo]
croton sp. *nini ni-ni [hg] nini [bo]
son's wife (add.) *nikVn[e/a] nikné [hg] nikna [bo]
mother *ne
face *neni₂h ne'nah na'nih
excrement *na na na
friend *namek namek namek
now/today *nama na'ma nama ~ namha nama nama nama
animal *namakud namakud namkud
banana *napet napet napet napet napet napet
mosquito *naŋgi₂t niŋgit ~ niŋgatnaŋgit na'ŋgit naŋgit naŋgit
louse *nahun nhun nahun [rl]
neck/throat *naɣ naɣ nah
come (pl.) *naɣam naham [+hg] naɣam [bo]
1 sg. *nok nok nok nok nok nok
young/new *noɣ noɣ noh
sleep *nu nu nu
*-n- n n n n n
two *inah inah inah inah inah inah
tongue *inum i'nim unum unum ~ u'nom unum unum
sweat *ena e'na e'na
person/people *anim anim anim [+hg] a'nim [rl] anim [bo]
3 pl. *anip anip anip anip anip anip
man *anem anem a'nem [md] anem [+hg] a'nem [rl] anem [bo]
3 sg. m. *anep anep anep anep anep anep
woman *anum anum a'num [md] anum [+hg] anum [rl] anum [bo]
3 sg. f. *anup a'nup anup a'nup anup anup
cross cousin *onos onos [hg] onos [bo]
good *uaniŋgap wa'niŋgap niŋgap wa'niŋgap wa'niŋgap wa'niŋgap
body *uahani wah'ni wahni 'wahani [+hg] wahani ~ wahni [pd]
wohani [hg]
wahani
shrub sp. *bunaŋga bunaŋga [hg] bunaŋga [bo]
croton sp. *nini ni-ni [hg] nini [bo]
son's wife (add.) *nikVn[e/a] nikné [hg] nikna [bo]
face *neni₂h ne'nah na'nih
shorebird sp. *tena téna [hg] tena [bo]
dark *dino[h] dinoh dino
ankle *seniŋg se'niŋg sa'niŋg
scabies *samani 'samani samani [+hg] samani [bo]
bird sp. *suɾin[ei/ai] suɾinei [hg] sulina [bo]
areca nut *kanis kanis [hg] ka'nis [rl] kanis [bo]
heavy *k[e/a]niɾ ka'niɾ [+hg]
egg/seed *kana ka'na
sun *katane katane katane katane katane katane
urine/bile *kon[o] kon ko'no
bite *hani₂ɣ hnag hani [pd]
hanih [hg]
ha'nɛʔ ~
ha'neʔ [rl]
haniɣ [bo]
help *ɣ[ei/ai]na heina [hg] ɣajna [bo]
burn (intr.) *ɣaunip hónip ~
hunip [hg]
unip̚ [rl] ɣunip [bo]
χaunip̚ [rl]
infant *ɣ[o/u]naɣon hon-a-hon [hg] ɣunaɣon [bo]
*-n n n n n n
canoe *iawun ja'vun javun ja'vun jahun jahun
expel from body *in in in
stand up (sg.) *atin atin atin a'tin [rl] atin [bo]
flea *as[a/o]bi₂n asoban [hg] asabin [hg] asabin [bo]
call *aɾin a'lin a'ɾin
tie up *aɣun ahun [hg] ɛʔ'un ~ aʔun [rl] aɣun [bo]
liver *on on on
stand up (pl.) *uaɣaman wahaman [hg] waɣaman [bo]
speech/voice *mean me'an mean ~ men me'an [pd]
méen [hg]
majan [pd]
ma'jan ~ mɛjan [rl]
majan [+bo]
earth/below *mak[a/o]n ma'kan makon ~ makanma'kan makan makan
thorn/needle *ban ban ban [hg] ban [rl] ban [bo]
flatten/smooth *mbin bin ~ mbin [hg] mbin [bo]
lie down (dist.) *nin nin [hg] nin [bo]
grasshopper *taŋgen taŋgen [pd]
taŋgèn [hg]
bandicoot sp. *tuban tu'ban tu'ban [+hg] tuban [bo]
make *kamin ka'min ka'min
urinate *kosun ko'sun ku'sun
hear *gan gan gan gan gan gan
take/receive *han han han han [+hg] han han [+bo]
sit down (pl.) *h[a/o]aman hóman [hg] haman [bo]
watch closely *weseun véséwn [hg] hʷesewn [bo]
remove clothes *waman vaman [hg] hʷaman [bo]
dry in sun (3 sg.)*wasak-e-un vasak-é-wn [hg] hask-e-un [rl] hʷasak-e-wn [bo]
open mouth *wahin vin [hg] vahin [hg]
stand (one leg) *waɣamin vaɣmin [hg] vahamin [hg]
plant shoot(s) *ɾun ɾun [hg] lun [bo]
shin *jin zin zin [+hg] hin [hg]
be sated *ɣadin ɣadin hadin [hg] ɣadin [bo]
leave behind *ɣadeun hadéwn [hg] ɣadewn [bo]
approach/meet *ɣoman hóman [hg] ɣoman [bo]
watch/guard *ɣon hon [hg] ɣon [bo]
infant *ɣ[o/u]naɣon hon-a-hon [hg] ɣunaɣon [bo]

It may be observed that a disproportionate number of roots with final /*n/ above are verbs, suggesting final /*-n/ to have been a suffix. In support of this hypothesis are several roots upon which final /n/ is found in either Mbian or the Central languages but is absent in the other subgroup, patterns which must otherwise be viewed as irregular:

Marind MbianKumb East Atih West
*-[n]nøø øø
say *aɣi[n] aɣin ahi ahi [+hg]aʔi ahi ~ aɣei [pd]
aɣi [bo]
*-[n]ønn nn
come (sg.)*ma[n] ma man man [+hg]man man [+bo]
be hungry *hu[n] hu hun

Voiceless stops /*p *t *k/ are invariable across dialects and occur in all positions. Velar /*k/ is much more common than anteriors /*p *t/ (q.v. Geurtjens 1933: 169-227, 273-281, 312-326.)

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

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*p- p p p p p
cheek *pip pip pip [bo]
greens sp. *piɾu piɾu [hg] pilu [bo]
intestines *pe pe [pd]; pé [hg] pe [bo]
vagina *peɾa pe'ɾa [pd]
péra [hg]
pela [bo]
head *pa pa pa pa [+hg] pa pa [+bo]
candlenut *paium pim [hg] pajum [hg] pajum [bo]
small *papVs papVs papVs papVs papVs papVs
fin(s) of ray *pandap[a]n[a] pandabn [hg] pandapna [bo]
sago splints *pandaɾ pandaɾ [hg] pandal [bo]
leaf fan *pandu pandu [hg] pandu [bo]
frog sp. *pakapak pak-a-pak [hg] pakapak [bo]
liana sp. *pageu pagéw [hg] pagew [bo]
buttocks *paŋga pa'ŋga pa'ŋga [+hg] paŋga [bo]
coconut spathe *paɣa paha [hg] paɣa [bo]
skin/bark *paɾ paɾ paɾ [pd]
páɾ [hg]
pal pal [+bo]
bird sp. *paɾi-paɾi paɾi-paɾi [hg] palpali [bo]
ridge *paɾe paɾé [hg] pale [bo]
thin *paɾapaɾ pa'ɾapaɾ [pd]
paɾ-a-paɾ [hg]
dry sand *paɾup[a]ɾ[a] paɾupɾ [hg] palupla [bo]
tuber sp. *paɾu[ŋ/ŋg] paɾuŋg [hg] paɾuŋ [bo]
new garden *poia poja ~ paja [hg] po'ja ~ pojah [rl]poja [bo]
lizard sp. *podapod pod-a-pod [hg] podapod [bo]
feather(s) *put put [+hg] put [+hg] put [bo]
*-p- p p p p p
pinch/trap (3 sg.)*matap-e-b matap-e-b [hg] matap-e-b [bo]
small *papVs papVs papVs papVs papVs papVs
frog sp. *pakapak pak-a-pak [hg] pakapak [bo]
thin *paɾapaɾ pa'ɾapaɾ [pd]
paɾ-a-paɾ [hg]
lizard sp. *podapod pod-a-pod [hg] podapod [bo]
turtledove sp. *nipu nipu [hg] nipu [bo]
banana *napet napet napet napet napet napet
heel *tepod te'pod
net *kipa ki'pa ki'pa
tie *kipaɾud kipɾud ~ kipludkipaɾud kipalud kipalud
cough/phlegm *kepu₂ɾ ke'pal ka'puɾ [+hg] kepul [rl] kapul [bo]
heavy *k[e/a]niɾ ka'niɾ [+hg]
palm cockatoo *kapiog kapiog [hg] kapiog [bo]
dry *kapaɾet kapaɾét [hg] 'kapalet [rl] 'kapalet [rl]
*-p p p p p p
lip(s) *itup u'tup
3 pl. *anip anip anip anip anip anip
3 sg. m. *anep anep anep anep anep anep
3 sg. f. *anup a'nup anup a'nup anup anup
nose *aŋgi₂p a'ŋgap aŋgep ~ aŋgip a'ŋgip aŋgip aŋgip
sweet coconut *uimap wimap [hg] wimap [bo]
good *uaniŋgap wa'niŋgap niŋgap wa'niŋgap wa'niŋgap wa'niŋgap
cheek *pip pip pip [bo]
rattan *tup tup tup tup [+hg] tup tup [+bo]
be thirsty *dahip dahip
cook in ground *sep sép [hg] sep [bo]
burn (intr.) *ɣaunip hónip ~
hunip [hg]
unip̚ [rl] ɣunip [bo]
χaunip̚ [rl]
night *ɣap ɣap hap hap ap ɣap
burst *ɣadip é-ɣaɾip [hg] (a-)hadip [hg]

Apical voiceless stop /*t/ is retained as such in all descendants.

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*t- t t t t t
root *te te te
nipa palm *temu ta'mu [+hg]
nape *temuk te'muk
heel *tepod te'pod
hole *teb teb
belch *tebak tebak ta'bak
shorebird sp. *tena téna [hg] tena [bo]
nail/claw *tek tek ték [hg] tɛ(:)k̚ [rl]
fire/firewood *tekaw tekav ~ te'kaf takav ta'kav takah takah
foot *tegu tagu ta'gu tagu
command *teŋgiɣ teŋgiɣ taŋgi [pd]
taŋgih [hg]
taŋgiɣ [bo]
centipede *tad[o/u] ta'do ta'du
arrow *taŋge taŋge taŋge taŋge taŋge
grasshopper *taŋgen taŋgen [pd]
taŋgèn [hg]
wing *tah tah
full *tahe[b] taheb
lapwing sp. *taɾe-taɾe taɾé-taɾé [hg] taltale [bo]
tendon *taɾagi taɾagi
rattan *tup tup tup tup [+hg] tup tup [+bo]
bandicoot sp. *tuban tu'ban tu'ban [+hg] tuban [bo]
*-t- t t t t t
root *itit ititi ~ i'tit [pd]
it-it [hg]
ititi [pd]
itit(ʰ) [rl]
ititi [pd]
itit [bo]
nail/claw *itiɾ i'tiɾ [+hg] itil [bo]
lip(s) *itup u'tup
chin *ete ete
salt/sea *etob
stand up (sg.) *atin atin atin a'tin [rl] atin [bo]
right (side) *atow
many/all *otiw u'tiv utiv o'tiv utih otih
kava *uati wati [hg] wati [bo]
plant sp. *uati-uati wati-wati [hg] watiwati [bo]
hibiscus sp. *uakati wakati ~
wokati [hg]
wakati [bo]
long *uagVtVk wag_t_k
~ waga'tok
wag_t_k wag_t_k
fence *uta uta [hg] u'taʔ ~ utah [rl] uta [bo]
pinch/trap (3 sg.) *matap-e-b matap-e-b [hg] matap-e-b [bo]
shade/shadow *matuɾ matuɾ [hg] matul [bo]
lean/be bent (3 sg.)*maset-o-k masét-o-k [hg] maset-o-k [bo]
mountain/hill *baetoka bato'ka beto'ka bɛtok- [rl] betok [bo]
paradise sp. *mbate[n/nd] baténd [hg] mbaten [bo]
tree sp. *mbot[a]ɾ[a] bótr ~ mbótr [hg] mbotla [bo]
stone *ketaɾ ka'taɾ katal katal
jungle fowl *kata ka'ta ka'ta [+hg] kata [bo]
sun *katane katane katane katane katane katane
miss shot *haɾetok haɾétok [hg] haletok [bo]
think (3sg.) *wetok vetok ve'tok hʷetok hʷetok
Atih *ɣatiw hativ atih ɣatih
*-t t t t t t
root *itit ititi ~ i'tit [pd]
it-it [hg]
ititi [pd]
itit(ʰ) [rl]
ititi [pd]
itit [bo]
coconut *oŋgat o'ŋgat oŋgat o'ŋgat [+hg] oŋgat oŋgat [+bo]
base/molar *mit mit mit [+hg]
lotus sp. *mamat mamat [hg] mamat [bo]
rat *mambit ma'mbit [+hg] mambit [rl]
tooth/teeth *maŋgat maŋgat maŋgat [+hg] maŋgat maŋgat [+bo]
far *mahut ma'hut
feather(s) *put put [+hg] put [+hg] put [bo]
orchid sp. *bubahet bub-ahet [hg] bubahet [bo]
sister's husband *mbit mbit [hg] mbit [bo]
fish sp. *mbambit bambit [hg] mbambit [bo]
banana *napet napet napet napet napet napet
mosquito *naŋgi₂t niŋgit ~ niŋgatnaŋgit na'ŋgit naŋgit naŋgit
ear *kembet ke'mbet kambet~kembetkambet kambet kambet
dry *kapaɾet kapaɾét [hg] 'kapalet [rl] 'kapalet [rl]
nit(s) *kajabit kazabit [hg] kahʲabit [bo]
dog *ŋgat ŋgat ŋgat ŋgat [+hg] ŋgat ŋgat [+bo]

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

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*k- k k k k k
crocodile *kiu kiᵘ kiᵘ kiᵘ kiᵘ
wind *kiuaɾ ki'waɾ
net *kipa ki'pa ki'pa
tie *kipaɾud kipɾud ~ kipludkipaɾud kipalud kipalud
eagle sp. *kidub kidub [hg] kidub [bo]
eye *kind kind kind kind kind kind
winkle sp. *kindin kindin [hg] kindin [bo]
fish sp. *kiwa kiva [hg] kihʷa [bo]
fish sp. *kiɾub kiɾub [hg] kilub [bo]
cassowary *k[ei/ai] keⁱ keⁱ keⁱ keⁱ kaⁱ
cough/phlegm *kepu₂ɾ ke'pal ka'puɾ [+hg] kepul [rl] kapul [bo]
ear *kembet ke'mbet kambet~kembet kambet kambet kambet
stone *ketaɾ ka'taɾ katal katal
raw/unripe *kendi kend- ka'ndi
defecate *keɾim ke'lim ka'ɾim
heavy *k[e/a]niɾ ka'niɾ [+hg]
white cockatoo *kai kai ~ kaï [hg] kʌj [bo]
oriole sp. *kaue-kaue kawé-kawé [hg] kaw(e)kawe [bo]
make *kamin ka'min ka'min
palm cockatoo *kapiog kapiog [hg] kapiog [bo]
dry *kapaɾet kapaɾét [hg] 'kapalet [rl] 'kapalet [rl]
fat/grease *kabeɾ kabel kabeɾ
raptor sp. *kab[ei/ai] kabai ~ kabei
[hg]
kabaj [bo]
tinea *kambi kambi [hg] kambi [bo]
watercress sp. *kambaɾi kambaɾi [hg] kambali [bo]
areca nut *kanis kanis [hg] ka'nis [rl] kanis [bo]
egg/seed *kana ka'na
jungle fowl *kata ka'ta ka'ta [+hg] kata [bo]
sun *katane katane katane katane katane katane
goanna sp. *kadewuk kadivuk [hg] kade'huk [rl] kadihuk [bo]
drum *kandaɾa ka'nda kandra kandara kandala kandala
saliva/spittle *kase kase kase
break (wood) *kagub ka'gub ka'gub
die *kahi[wV]d kahivð kahivd kahid kahid
go up *kahek khek kahek [+hg] kahek [bo]
sweet potato *kaw kaf kav [pd]
káv [hg]
-kah [rl] -kah [bo]
paddle (n.) *ka-wai-a kavea kavea ~ kavia kavi'a kahe kahʷaⁱa
fish sp. *kaɾambu kaɾambu [hg] kalambu [bo]
sour *kaj kaz kaz
nit(s) *kajabit kazabit [hg] kahʲabit [bo]
sago beater *ka-ɣawek ka-havek [hg] kaɣahʷek [bo]
bittern sp. *ko kó [hg] ko [bo]
lime/white *koi koi koi koi koi
throw away *koag[i/e]n koagen koagin
urine/bile *kon[o] kon ko'no
tree sp. *kond kónd [hg] kond [bo]
urinate *kosun ko'sun ku'sun
crayfish sp. *kus kus [hg] kus [bo]
snake sp. *kuɾuam kulwam [hg] kuɾwan [hg] kulwam [bo]
waterfowl sp. *kuɣu kuhu [hg] kuɣu [bo]
*-k- k k k k k
one *ijako[d] eska iskad ~ iskod izakod sakod heakod
water *adeka adika ~ ada'kaadka adaka ~
adi'ka [pd]
adaka [hg]
adaka adaka [+bo]
shrub sp. *ake aké [hg] ake [bo]
light (weight) *akak a'kak a'kak
snake *ajaki azaki azaki ahʲaki ahʲaki
shorebird sp. *uandako wandakó [hg] wandako [bo]
hibiscus sp. *uakati wakati ~
wokati [hg]
wakati [bo]
sharp *uaɾoaka 'waloaka woɾo'waka
be crooked (3 sg.) *mik-e-w mik-e-v [hg] mik-e-ø [hg] mik-e-h [bo]
earth/below *mak[a/o]n ma'kan makon ~ makan ma'kan makan makan
fruit *mokom mo'kom
frog sp. *pakapak pak-a-pak [hg] pakapak [bo]
heart/breath *beakai beake be'kai [pd]
békai [hg]
beke [rl] bekaj [bo]
mountain/hill *baetoka bato'ka beto'ka bɛtok- [rl] betok [bo]
Job's tears *baba ba-ba [hg] baba [bo
sea turtle sp. *baba ba-ba [hg] baba [bo
mouth *babake bake babake
old (person) *bakau ba'kaw
knob *boka bóka [hg] boka [bo]
nape/neck *mbaku mbaku [pd]
baku [hg]
mbaku [bo]
flying fox *mboke bokè [hg] mboke [bo]
son's wife (add.) *nikVn[e/a] nikné [hg] nikna [bo]
animal *namakud namakud namkud
fire/firewood *tekaw tekav ~ te'kaftakav ta'kav takah takah
navel *dekum de'kum da'kum
short *dohakVs dokes dokis doha'k_s dok_s
~ dahok_s
dohak_s
~ dahok_s
luminescence *ndaki-ndaki daki-ndaki [hg] ndakindaki [bo]
paradise sp. *sakiɾ sa'kil sa'kiɾ [+hg] sakil [bo]
sago vein (?) *saɾaku saɾaku [hg] salaku [bo]
star *ndeku ndaku
clearing *hekai hékai ~
heikai [hg]
hekaj
smoke *haku ha'ku
dry in sun (3 sg.) *wasak-e-un vasak-é-wn [hg] hask-e-un [rl] hʷasak-e-wn [bo]
river *(a-)ɾik-i li'k-i rik-i ri'k-i [hg] a-lik-i a-lik-i [+bo]
*-k k k k k k
break (stone) *aehaɣok aha'ɣok eha'hok
light (weight) *akak a'kak a'kak
accompany *ahik hi'kam a'hik
pull out *ahok ahók [hg] ahok [bo]
bundle *aɣajak ahazak [hg] a:jak [hg]
penis *owi₂k o'vak u'vik
tail *uak 'wak [md] wak [hg] wak [rl] wak [bo]
long *uagVtVk wag_t_k
~ waga'tok
wag_t_k wag_t_k
run *uaɾak
lean/be bent (3 sg.)*maset-o-k masét-o-k [hg] maset-o-k [bo]
bend (intr.) *masuk masuk [hg] masuk [bo]
frog sp. *pakapak pak-a-pak [hg] pakapak [bo]
grasp/hold *bik bik [hg] bik [bo]
pig *basik bihik ~ bhik basik ba'sik [+hg] basik basik [+bo]
nape *temuk te'muk
nail/claw *tek tek ték [hg] tɛ(:)k̚ [rl]
stork sp. *ndik ndik [hg] ndik [bo]
hit/beat *sak sak sak
bird sp. *saɾuk saɾuk [hg] saluk [bo]
go up *kahek khek kahek [+hg] kahek [bo]
goura pigeon *mahuk mhuk mahuk mahuk [+hg] mahuk maɣuk [pd]
mahuk [bo]
elbow *muk muk [+hg] muk [+hg] muk̚ ~ mug̚ [rl] muk [bo]
friend *namek namek namek
1 sg. *nok nok nok nok nok nok
belch *tebak tebak ta'bak
bamboo knife *sok sok sok
goanna sp. *kadewuk kadivuk [hg] kade'huk [rl] kadihuk [bo]
sago beater *ka-ɣawek ka-havek [hg] kaɣahʷek [bo]
miss shot *haɾetok haɾétok [hg] haletok [bo]
become loose *haɾak haɾak [hg] halak [bo]
lie down (pl.) *hok hók [hg] hok [bo]
think (3sg.) *wetok vetok ve'tok hʷetok hʷetok
machete *wak[a]ɾ[a] va'kra [pd]
vákɾ [hg]
flow/stream *ɾik rik [hg] lik [bo]
Rahuk *ɾaɣuk ɾahuk laɣuk
half-ripe *jajak zazak [hg] hʲahʲak [bo]
pound sago *ɣawek havek [hg] ɣahʷek [bo]

Plain voiced stops /*b *d *g/ are invariable across dialects and occur in all positions: Initial velar /*g/ is much less common than anteriors /*b *d/ (q.v. Geurtjens 80-97, 97-108, 121-128.)

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

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*b- b bb b b
anus *bi bi [hg] bi [bo]
grasp/hold *bik bik [hg] bik [bo]
petiole *bi[ŋ/ŋg] biŋg [hg] biŋ [bo]
heart/breath *beakai beake be'kai [pd]
békai [hg]
beke [rl] bekaj [bo]
pigeon sp. *bewom ve'vom [pd]
bévom [hg]
behom [bo]
chest *beɾ bel beɾ [+hg] bel [bo]
canoe pole *beɣau béhaw ~
béhéw[hg]
beɣaw [bo]
greens sp. *beɣob béhob [hg] beɣob [bo]
mountain/hill *baetoka bato'ka beto'ka bɛtok- [rl] betok [bo]
mouth *babake bake babake
thorn/needle *ban ban ban [hg] ban [rl] ban [bo]
pig *basik bihik ~ bhikbasikba'sik [+hg] basik basik [+bo]
old (person) *bakau ba'kaw
pufferfish *baŋgaba[ŋ/ŋg] baŋg-a-baŋg
[hg]
baŋgabaŋ [bo]
thigh *baɣa ba'ɣa ba'ha
breadfruit *baɾau ba'ɾaw [+hg] balaw [bo]
tail of crocodile *bo bó [hg] bo [bo]
termite mound *bomi bomi [hg] bomi [bo]
lake/swamp *bob bob [hg] bob ~ mbobʰ [rl]bob [bo]
knob *boka bóka [hg] boka [bo]
plant sp. *bu bu [hg] bu [bo]
breast *bub bub bub bub [+hg] bub bub [+bo]
orchid sp. *bubahet bub-ahet [hg] bubahet [bo]
shrub sp. *bunaŋga bunaŋga [hg] bunaŋga [bo]
tree sp. *bud bud [hg] bud [bo]
eucalyptus sp. *bus bus [hg] bus [bo]
cut animal *bug bug [hg] bug [bo]
boil (n.) *buŋg[i] buŋg bu'ŋgi [+hg] buŋgi [bo]
*-b- b bb b b
ibis sp. *ebob ebob [hg] ebob [bo]
flea *as[a/o]bi₂n asoban [hg] asabin [hg] asabin [bo]
Job's tears *baba ba-ba [hg] baba [bo
sea turtle sp. *baba ba-ba [hg] baba [bo
pufferfish *baŋgaba[ŋ/ŋg] baŋg-a-baŋg
[hg]
baŋgabaŋ [bo]
orchid sp. *bubahet bub-ahet [hg] bubahet [bo]
belch *tebak tebak ta'bak
bandicoot sp. *tuban tu'ban tu'ban [+hg] tuban [bo]
wet *dubadub daba'dub [pd]
dab-a-dub ~
dub-a-dub [hg]
bamboo *suba suba suba
fat/grease *kabeɾ kabel kabeɾ
raptor sp. *kab[ei/ai] kabai ~ kabei
[hg]
kabaj [bo]
nit(s) *kajabit kazabit [hg] kahʲabit [bo]
pelican sp. *jabug zabug ~ -k [hg] habug [hg] hʲabug [bo]
rat *ɣabo habó [hg] ɣabo [bo]
*-b b bb b b
ibis sp. *ebob ebob [hg] ebob [bo]
salt/sea *etob
armpit *ab ab ab [+hg] ab [bo]
overtake *aheb aheb [hg] aheb [bo]
split open *aɣab ahab [hg] aɣab [bo]
plait (?) *aɣajab ahazab [bo] a:jab [hg] aɣahʲab [bo]
bird *ujub uzub uzub uzub uhʲub uhʲub
lean (3 sg.) *me-ø-ab mj-ab [hg] me-ø-b [hg] me-ø-b [bo]
braid(s) *maiub majub [hg] majub [bo]
pinch/trap (3 sg.)*matap-e-b matap-e-b [hg] matap-e-b [bo]
greens sp. *beɣob béhob [hg] beɣob [bo]
lake/swamp *bob bob [hg] bob ~ mbobʰ [rl]bob [bo]
rainbow *maɾ[e/o]b maleb [+hg] maɾob [hg]
plant sp. *maɾ[o]b maɾob [hg] malob [bo]
breast *bub bub bub bub [+hg] bub bub [+bo]
hole *teb teb
wet *dubadub daba'dub [pd]
dab-a-dub ~
dub-a-dub [hg]
eagle sp. *kidub kidub [hg] kidub [bo]
fish sp. *kiɾub kiɾub [hg] kilub [bo]
break (wood) *kagub ka'gub ka'gub
hush/appease *hoɣeb hóheb [hg] hoɣeb [bo]
take care of *wagib vagib [hg] hʷagib [bo]
hang *waɣob vahob [hg] hʷaɣob [bo]
douse *wuseb vuseb [hg] huseb [hg] huseb [bo]
grandchild *jeb zeb zeb

Two of five examples of medial /*b/ above, /*tuban/ “bandicoot sp.” and /*kabeɾ/ “fat/grease”, are known to be loans from Yei of the Morehead River to the east.

Apical voiced stop /*d/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*d- d d d d d
dark *dino[h] dinoh dino
forehead *diŋg diŋg
tree/wood *de de de de de de
navel *dekum de'kum da'kum
sago *da da da da da da
bird sp. *dai dai [hg] daj [bo]
spear *da[m/mb] damb dam dam [+hg] dam dam
grandmother *dada da'da
betel pepper *dadami[h] 'dad(ə)mi(h) [rl]dadami [bo]
be thirsty *dahip dahip
mud *daɾoh daɾóh [hg] dalo ~ daloh [rl]dalo [bo]
blood *do do do do do do
short *dohakVs dokes dokis doha'k_s dok_s
~ dahok_s
dohak_s
~ dahok_s
wet *dubadub daba'dub [pd]
dab-a-dub ~
dub-a-dub [hg]
butterfly *dud dud
coast/beach *duw duv duh duh
shy *duɾ dul duɾ
*-d- d d d d d
see *idih idih idih i'dih idih idih
water *adeka adika ~ ada'kaadka adaka ~
adi'ka [pd]
adaka [hg]
adaka adaka [+bo]
bathe *[a]dug udag udug
cheek *aɣadiɾ ahadir [hg] a:dil [hg]
lizard sp. *podapod pod-a-pod [hg] podapod [bo]
centipede *tad[o/u] ta'do ta'du
grandmother *dada da'da
betel pepper *dadami[h] 'dad(ə)mi(h) [rl]dadami [bo]
wet *dubadub daba'dub [pd]
dab-a-dub ~
dub-a-dub [hg]
cold *s[a/o]sode[h]sosdeh sasode
eagle sp. *kidub kidub [hg] kidub [bo]
goanna sp. *kadewuk kadivuk [hg] kade'huk [rl] kadihuk [bo]
straight *ɣaedeha 'ɣaedeha he'da
burst *ɣadip é-ɣaɾip [hg] (a-)hadip [hg]
be sated *ɣadin ɣadin hadin [hg] ɣadin [bo]
leave behind *ɣadeun hadéwn [hg] ɣadewn [bo]
frog *ɣadoɾo adolo ɣadolo
*-d d d d d d
be sleepy *-ihid -i'hid [+hg] -ihid [bo]
sit down (sg.) *ambid ambid ambid
father (add.) *ad ad [hg] ad [bo]
fish sp. *ad ad [hg] ad [bo]
laugh *awed aved
sugarcane *od od od od od od
long *ogid u'gid ugid ogi [sic]
be sleepy (3sg.)*u-ihid wi'hid [+hg] uihid [bo]
net bag *uad wad [hg] wad [rl] wad [bo]
bend (tr.) *masud masud [hg] masud [bo]
get angry *mahid mahid [hg] mahid [bo]
lizard sp. *podapod pod-a-pod [hg] podapod [bo]
tree sp. *bud bud [hg] bud [bo]
animal *namakud namakud namkud
heel *tepod te'pod
butterfly *dud dud
tie *kipaɾud kipɾud ~ kipludkipaɾud kipalud kipalud
die *kahi[wV]d kahivð kahivd kahid kahid
play *hai[e/a]d hajed [hg] hajad [bo]
miss/pass *haɾad aɾad ~ haɾad [hg] halad [bo]
light/bright *ɣad ɣa'da -had
become clear (?)*ɣajad hazad [hg] ɣahʲad [bo]
make fence *ɾod lo'd-a ɾod-a [pd]
ɾód [hg]
lod [bo]
pour *ɾuɣad ɾuad ~
ɾuhad [hg]
luɣad [bo]
vomit *ɣod ɣod hod [hg] ɣod [bo]

Velar voiced stop /*g/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*g- g gg g g
turtle sp. *gau gaw gaw [hg] gaw [bo]
hear *gan gan gan gan gan gan
shoulder *gaɾg[e]ɾa gaɾ'geɾa
tusk of pig *gom[a]n[a] gomn ~ gomaɾ [hg] gomna [bo]
ashes *gum[a]n[a]gum gum [+hg] gu:mn ~ goᵘm [rl]gumna [bo]
creeper sp. *guɾi guɾi [hg] guli [bo]
*-g- g gg g g
name *igij i'giz i'giz
long *ogid u'gid ugid ogi
long *uagVtVk wag_t_k
~ waga'tok
wag_t_k wag_t_k
skin *ugu u'gu
egg *magaw ma'gaf
liana sp. *pageu pagéw [hg] pagew [bo]
foot *tegu tagu ta'gu tagu
tendon *taɾagi taɾagi
break (inan.) *kag-ub ka'g-ub ka'g-ub [+hg] kag-ub [bo]
throw away (3 sg.)*ko-ag-e-n ko-ag-e-n ko-ag-e-n
shoulder *gaɾg[e]ɾa gaɾ'geɾa
take care of *wagib vagib [hg] hʷagib [bo]
*-g g gg g g
young woman *iuag -iwag -iwag [pd]
iwâg [hg]
iwag [rl] iwag [bo]
dig *eg eg eg
bathe *[a]dug udag udug
do *og og og og og og
beg *uihig wihig ~ wig [hg] wig [bo]
knee *mig mig mig [+hg] mig ~ mig̚ [rl] mig [bo]
old woman *mes iuag 'mes-iwag 'mes-iwag [pd]
més-iwâg [hg]
mes-iwag [bo]
cut animal *bug bug [hg] bug [bo]
palm cockatoo *kapiog kapiog [hg] kapiog [bo]
coucal sp. *ɾaɾag ɾaɾag [hg] lalag [bo]
almond tree *ɾug ɾug [hg] lug [bo]
pelican sp. *jabug zabug ~ -k [hg] habug [hg] hʲabug [bo]
light fire *ɣausig hu'sig [pd]
hausig ~
husig [hg]
ɣosig [bo]

Prenasalized stops /*mb *nd *ŋg/ are generally invariable across dialects and occur in all positions. Initial prenasalized stops are relatively uncommon (q.v. Geurtjens 1933: 238-241, 253-254, 255-258) and are sometimes heard as plain voiced stops [b d g]. Final prenasalized stops are also uncommon. Prenasalized stops are much more common medially then they are initially or finally.

Bilabial prenasalized stop /*mb/ is retained as such in all descendants. One initial example is heard as plain voiced stop [b] in Mbian:

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*mb- mb [mb b]mb mb mb mb
flatten/smooth *mbin bin ~ mbin [hg] mbin [bo]
sister's husband*mbit mbit [hg] mbit [bo]
bird sp. *mbisambis mbis-a-mbis
[hg]
mbisambis [bo]
seagull sp. *mbiɾu biɾu [hg] mbilu [bo]
cuscus sp. *mbeam be'am bajam [hg] mba'jam [rl] mba'jam [rl]
stone axe *mbeɾi mbeli mbeli mbe'ɾi mbeli mbeli ~ mbel
fish sp. *mbambit bambit [hg] mbambit [bo]
paradise sp. *mbate[n/nd] baténd [hg] mbaten [bo]
bird sp. *mbaɣoɾ bahoɾ [hg] mbaɣol [bo]
flying fox *mboke bokè [hg] mboke [bo]
louse *mba[m/mb] mbamb [pd]
bamb [hg]
mbam [bo]
nape/neck *mbaku mbaku [pd]
baku [hg]
mbaku [bo]
armband sp. *mbaɾaɾ mbaɾaɾ [hg] mbalal [bo]
tree sp. *mbot[a]ɾ[a] bótr ~ mbótr [hg] mbotla [bo]
gills *mbu[m/mb] bumb ~
mbumb [hg]
mbum [bo]
fly (n.) *mbuɾambuɾ mbaɾa'mbuɾ [pd]
mbuɾ-a-mbuɾ
[hg]
mbulambul [bo]
*-mb- mb mb mb mb mb
axe *imbasom imba'som [pd]
basom ~
mbasom [hg]
'imbasom [rl]
rib(s)/side *emba e'mba emba
sit down (sg.) *ambid ambid ambid
leech *ambai a'mbai
scrotum *ombo ombo o'mbo [pd]
ombó [hg]
ombo [bo]
rat *mambit ma'mbit [+hg] mambit [rl]
tree sp. *mumb[a]ɾ[a] mumbɾ [hg] mumbala [bo]
bird sp. *mbisambis mbis-a-mbis
[hg]
mbisambis [bo]
fish sp. *mbambit bambit [hg] mbambit [bo]
fly (n.) *mbuɾambuɾ mbaɾa'mbuɾ [pd]
mbuɾ-a-mbuɾ
[hg]
mbulambul [bo]
ear *kembet ke'mbet kambet~kembetkambet kambet kambet
tinea *kambi kambi [hg] kambi [bo]
watercress sp. *kambaɾi kambaɾi [hg] kambali [bo]
fish sp. *kaɾambu kaɾambu [hg] kalambu [bo]
headdress sp. *jimbu zimbu [hg] himbu [hg] himbu [bo]
thick *jumbVju[m/mb] zumba'zum [pd]
zumb-a-zumb
[hg]
*-mb mb mb mb mb mb
big *samb samb samb samb samb samb
taro *kemb kemb ~ kemb kemb kemb kemb kemb

(For initial /*mb/ in “cuscus” cf. Yaqay ['mboeam] id. (Drabbe 1954: 136.))

Apical prenasalized stop /*nd/ is retained as such in all descendants. One initial example is heard as plain voiced stop [d] in Mbian:

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*nd- nd [nd d] ndnd nd nd
stork sp. *ndik ndik [hg] ndik [bo]
star *ndeku ndaku
orphan *ndamom da'mom nda'mom
luminescence *ndaki-ndaki daki-ndaki [hg] ndakindaki [bo]
sarus crane *ndaɾau daɾaw [hg] ndalaw [bo]
foam *ndaɾo[m/mb] daɾómb [hg] dalom [bo]
rope *ndo[n/nd] ndónd [hg] nɖɔ:nd ~
ndon [rl]
ndon [bo]
nɖɔ:nd [rl]
*-nd- nd ndnd nd nd
bird sp. *ende[n/nd] endénd [hg] enden [bo]
shorebird sp. *uandako wandakó [hg] wandako [bo]
perfective *mend- mend- mend- [bo]
wife's brother*mandaɣ manda [hg] mandaɣ [bo]
moon *mandou mandoᵘ ~
ma'ndow
mandaᵘmandaᵘ ~
ma'ndaw [pd]
mandow [hg]
mandaᵘ mandaᵘ [pd]
mandaw [bo]
fin(s) of ray *pandap[a]n[a] pandabn [hg] pandapna [bo]
sago splints *pandaɾ pandaɾ [hg] pandal [bo]
leaf fan *pandu pandu [hg] pandu [bo]
winkle sp. *kindin kindin [hg] kindin [bo]
raw/unripe *kendi kend- ka'ndi
drum *kandaɾa ka'nda kandrakandara kandala kandala
belly *ɣandam handamha'ndam andam ɣandam
*-nd nd ndnd nd nd
eye *kind kind kind kind kind kind
tree sp. *kond kónd [hg] kond [bo]

Velar prenasalized stop /*ŋg/ is generally retained as such in all descendants. One initial example is heard as plain voiced stop [g] in the East dialect:

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*ŋg- ŋg ŋg ŋg [ŋg g] ŋg ŋg
dog *ŋgat ŋgat ŋgat ŋgat [+hg] ŋgat ŋgat [+bo]
unripe fruit *ŋgaɾ ŋgáɾ [hg] ŋgal [bo]
sago with fish*ŋgaɾamo gaɾamo ~
ŋgaɾamo [hg]
ŋgaɾamo [bo]
tree sp. *ŋgaɾasaɾ ŋgaɾsaɾ [hg] ŋgalasal [bo]
nibung palm *ŋgoŋgai góŋgai ~
ŋgo-ŋgai [hg]
ŋgoŋgaj [bo]
leaf *ŋgoɾ ŋgoɾ [pd]
ŋgóɾ [hg]
ŋgol ŋgol [+bo]
tail *ŋgui ŋgu'i gui [pd]
ŋgui [hg]
ŋguj [bo]
crab sp. *ŋgus gus [hg] ŋgus [hg] ŋgus [bo]
*-ŋg- ŋg ŋg ŋg ŋg ŋg
nose *aŋgi₂p a'ŋgap aŋgep ~ aŋgipa'ŋgip aŋgip aŋgip
coconut *oŋgat o'ŋgat oŋgat o'ŋgat [+hg] oŋgat oŋgat [+bo]
good *uaniŋgap wa'niŋgap niŋgap wa'niŋgap wa'niŋgapwa'niŋgap
tooth/teeth *maŋgat maŋgat maŋgat [+hg] maŋgat maŋgat [+bo]
buzz/hum *muŋgew muŋgev [hg] muŋgeh [bo]
buttocks *paŋga pa'ŋga pa'ŋga [+hg] paŋga [bo]
pufferfish *baŋgaba[ŋ/ŋg] baŋg-a-baŋg
[hg]
baŋgabaŋ [bo]
shrub sp. *bunaŋga bunaŋga [hg] bunaŋga [bo]
mosquito *naŋgi₂t niŋgit ~ niŋgatnaŋgit na'ŋgit naŋgit naŋgit
command *teŋgiɣ teŋgiɣ taŋgi [pd]
taŋgih [hg]
taŋgiɣ [bo]
arrow *taŋge taŋge taŋge taŋge taŋge
grasshopper *taŋgen taŋgen [pd]
taŋgèn [hg]
stone *seŋga se'ŋga seŋga
hand/palm *seŋga se'ŋga saŋga sa'ŋga saŋga saŋga
Sanggase *saŋgaje saŋgaze saŋgahe
palm sp. *saɾiŋga saɾiŋga [hg] saliŋga [bo]
nibung palm *ŋgoŋgai góŋgai ~
ŋgo-ŋgai [hg]
ŋgoŋgaj [bo]
*-ŋg ŋg ŋg ŋg ŋg ŋg
way *meŋg meŋg [hg] -meŋ [rl]meŋ [rl]
tuber sp. *paɾu[ŋ/ŋg] paɾuŋg [hg] paɾuŋ [bo]
pufferfish *baŋgaba[ŋ/ŋg] baŋg-a-baŋg
[hg]
baŋgabaŋ [bo]
forehead *diŋg diŋg
ankle *seniŋg se'niŋg sa'niŋg
bamboo sp. *so[ŋ/ŋg] soŋg [hg] soŋ [bo]

The word /*ŋgat/ “dog”, while found in other branches of Fly River (with irregular correpondences,) is a loan from Morehead River, as is “star” (though it's also found in Lake Murray.)

In a number of roots, a final prenasalized stop /*mb *nd *ŋg/ …:

Marind MbianKumbEast Atih West
*-[m/mb]
mucus *mo[m/mb] mom momb [pd]
mómb [hg]
mom [bo]
louse *mba[m/mb] mbamb [pd]
bamb [hg]
mbam [bo]
gills *mbu[m/mb] bumb ~
mbumb [hg]
mbum [bo]
spear *da[m/mb] damb dam dam [+hg] dam dam
foam *ndaɾo[m/mb] daɾómb [hg] dalom [bo]
bird sp. *si[m/mb] simb [hg] sim [bo]
fornication *jo[m/mb] zom [pd]
zómb [hg]
hʲom͜b [bo]
thick *jumbVju[m/mb] zumba'zum [pd]
zumb-a-zumb
[hg]
*-[n/nd]
bird sp. *ende[n/nd] endénd [hg] enden [bo]
Marind *maɾi[n/nd] maɾind [hg] malin- [bo]
paradise sp.*mbate[n/nd] baténd [hg] mbaten [bo]
rope *ndo[n/nd] ndónd [hg] nɖɔ:nd ~
ndon [rl]
ndon [bo]
nɖɔ:nd [rl]
*-[ŋ/ŋg]
tuber sp. *paɾu[ŋ/ŋg] paɾuŋg [hg] paɾuŋ [bo]
petiole *bi[ŋ/ŋg] biŋg [hg] biŋ [bo]
pufferfish *baŋgaba[ŋ/ŋg] baŋg-a-baŋg
[hg]
baŋgabaŋ [bo]
bamboo sp. *so[ŋ/ŋg] soŋg [hg] soŋ [bo]

Fricatives /*s *h/ are invariable across dialects and occur in all positions.

Fricative /*s/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*s- s s s s s
bird sp. *si[m/mb] simb [hg] sim [bo]
sago w/banana *siw siv [hg] sihʷ [bo]
cook in ground *sep sép [hg] sep [bo]
back *sew sef [pd]
sév [hg]
sev'ta [pd]
sévt ~ séwt [hg]
sews [bo]
stone *seŋga se'ŋga seŋga
ankle *seniŋg se'niŋg sa'niŋg
hand/palm *seŋga se'ŋga saŋga sa'ŋga saŋga saŋga
sand *sa sa sa sa sa
work *saesaɣi sasa'hi sesahi [pd]
sa-sahi [hg]
sasaɣi [bo]
scabies *samani 'samani samani [+hg] samani [bo]
big *samb samb samb samb samb samb
hit/beat *sak sak sak
paradise sp. *sakiɾ sa'kil sa'kiɾ [+hg] sakil [bo]
Sanggase *saŋgaje saŋgaze saŋgahe
palm sp. *saɾiŋga saɾiŋga [hg] saliŋga [bo]
coconut flower *saɾeɣ saréh [hg] saleɣ [bo]
prawn sp. *saɾeɣ saréh [hg] saleɣ [bo]
sago vein (?) *saɾaku saɾaku [hg] salaku [bo]
bird sp. *saɾuk saɾuk [hg] saluk [bo]
wallaby *saɣam sa'ɣam saham sa'ham saʔam saɣam
bamboo knife *sok sok sok
cold *s[a/o]sode[h]sosdeh sasode
mourning band *soia sója [hg]
bamboo sp. *so[ŋ/ŋg] soŋg [hg] soŋ [bo]
bamboo *suba suba suba
bird sp. *suɾin[ei/ai] suɾinei [hg] sulina [bo]
*-s- s s s s s
axe *imbasom imba'som [pd]
basom ~
mbasom [hg]
'imbasom [rl]
path *isas i'sas i'sas
nest *ewesa wefe'sa evesa
sneeze *asi asi
flea *as[a/o]bi₂n asoban [hg] asabin [hg] asabin [bo]
tear(s) *awasi af'si avasi
kunai grass *omasa oma'sa [+hg] om'sa [rl] umasa [bo]
old woman *mes iuag 'mes-iwag 'mes-iwag [pd]
més-iwâg [hg]
mes-iwag [bo]
lean/be bent (3 sg.)*maset-o-k masét-o-k [hg] maset-o-k [bo]
bend (tr.) *masud masud [hg] masud [bo]
bend (intr.) *masuk masuk [hg] masuk [bo]
bird sp. *mbisambis mbis-a-mbis
[hg]
mbisambis [bo]
work *saesaɣi sasa'hi sesahi [pd]
sa-sahi [hg]
sasaɣi [bo]
cold *s[a/o]sode[h]sosdeh sasode
saliva/spittle *kase kase kase
urinate *kosun ko'sun ku'sun
tree sp. *ŋgaɾasaɾ ŋgaɾsaɾ
~ gaɾsaɾ [hg]
ŋgalasal [bo]
watch closely *weseun véséwn [hg] hʷesewn [bo]
dry in sun (3 sg.) *wasak-e-un vasak-é-wn [hg] hask-e-un [rl] hʷasak-e-wn [bo]
douse *wuseb vuseb [hg] huseb [hg] huseb [bo]
light fire *ɣausig hu'sig [pd]
hausig ~
husig [hg]
ɣosig [bo]
hop/jump *ɣosew hosév [hg] ɣoseh [bo]
*-s s s s s s
path *isas i'sas i'sas
pull out *awus avus [hg] ahus [bo]
spread mat *omos omos [hg] omos [bo]
cross cousin *onos onos [hg] onos [bo]
old/ripe/dry *mes mes mes [+hg] mes [rl] mes [bo]
small *papVs papVs papVs papVs papVs papVs
eucalyptus sp. *bus bus [hg] bus [bo]
bird sp. *mbisambis mbis-a-mbis
[hg]
mbisambis [bo]
short *dohakVs dokes dokis doha'k_s dok_s
~ dahok_s
dohak_s
~ dahok_s
areca nut *kanis kanis [hg] ka'nis [rl] kanis [bo]
crayfish sp. *kus kus [hg] kus [bo]
crab sp. *ŋgus gus [hg] ŋgus [hg] ŋgus [bo]
go down *wis (a-)vis vis [+hg] hʷis [bo]
ghost *ɣeis ɣeⁱs his ~ heⁱs ~
haⁱs [pd]
heis [hg]
heⁱs eⁱs ɣeⁱs [pd]
ɣis- [bo]
burn/cook *ɣaus ɣus haᵘs
beard *ɣas ɣas has

In one example, the Mbian reflex of /*s/ is unexpectedly /h/, with characteristic dropping of preceding unstressed /*a/ (below):

MarindMbian Kumb East Atih West
*sh ss ss
pig*basikbihik ~ bhikbasikba'sik [+hg]basikbasik [+bo]

Unoccluded fricative /*h/ is retained as such in all descendants:

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*h- h h h h h
fall *hi hij [hg] hi [bo]
like/similar *-hei -hi ~ -haⁱ -hei ~ -heⁱ ~ -hi -hi -hi
clearing *hekai hékai ~
heikai [hg]
hekaj
tree sp. *heh héh [hg] heh [bo]
fall/fall apart*hai hai [hg] haj [bo]
play *hai[e/a]d hajed [hg] hajad [bo]
bone *haiau haiaᵘ ~ hiauhaiaᵘ ~ hiaᵘ hajaᵘ ~ hiaᵘ [pd]
hajéw ~ héjaw [hg]
hajaᵘ ~ hiaᵘ hajaᵘ ~ hehaᵘ [pd]
hajaw [bo]
take/receive *han han han han [+hg] han han [+bo]
bite *hani₂ɣ hnag hani [pd]
hanih [hg]
ha'nɛʔ ~
ha'neʔ [rl]
haniɣ [bo]
smoke *haku ha'ku
spit *haɾiɣ haɾih [hg] haliɣ [bo]
miss shot *haɾetok haɾétok [hg] haletok [bo]
miss/pass *haɾad aɾad ~ haɾad [hg] halad [bo]
become loose *haɾak haɾak [hg] halak [bo]
sit down (pl.) *h[a/o]aman hóman [hg] haman [bo]
lie down (pl.) *hok hók [hg] hok [bo]
hush/appease *hoɣeb hóheb [hg] hoɣeb [bo]
be hungry *hu[n] hu hun
*-h- h h h h h
revenge *iaha jah ja'ha
be sleepy *-ihid -i'hid [+hg] -ihid [bo]
this m. *ehe ehe
break (stone) *aehaɣok aha'ɣok eha'hok
accompany *ahik hi'kam a'hik
overtake *aheb aheb [hg] aheb [bo]
house *aha aha aha aha aha aha
lung(s) *ahah a'hah
pull out *ahok ahók [hg] ahok [bo]
beg *uihig wihig ~ wig [hg] wig [bo]
body *uahani wah'ni wahni 'wahani [+hg] wahani ~ wahni [pd]
wohani [hg]
wahani
get angry *mahid mahid [hg] mahid [bo]
dance *mahai mahai [hg] mahaj [bo]
far *mahut ma'hut
goura pigeon *mahuk mhuk mahuk mahuk [+hg] mahuk maɣuk [pd]
mahuk [bo]
orchid sp. *bubahet bub-ahet [hg] bubahet [bo]
louse *nahun nhun nahun [rl]
full *tahe[b] taheb
be thirsty *dahip dahip
red *do-hei do-hi ~ do-haⁱdo-hi do-hi do-hi
short *dohakVs dokes dokis doha'k_s dok_s
~ dahok_s
dohak_s
~ dahok_s
die *kahi[wV]d kahivð kahivd kahid kahid
go up *kahek khek kahek [+hg] kahek [bo]
fish sp. *johe zohé [hg] hʲohʲe [bo]
straight *ɣaedeha 'ɣaedeha he'da
*-h h h h h h
two *inah inah inah inah inah inah
see *idih idih idih i'dih idih idih
give birth *ah ah
face *neni₂h ne'nah na'nih
wing *tah tah
mud *daɾoh daɾóh [hg] dalo ~ daloh [rl] dalo [bo]
tree sp. *heh héh [hg] heh [bo]

Unlike nasals and stops, the realization of which is mostly stable in all descendants (above,) the reflexes of non-stops /*w *ɾ *j *ɣ/ vary substantially between dialects. Bilabial and palatal non-stops /*w *j/ are aspirated to [hʷ hʲ] in the West and Atih dialects, while East, Kumb and Mbian affect the more common occlusions to [v z] (as discussed in Drabbe 1933: 14.) The developments in the western dialects are shared with Maklew of the unrelated Bulaka River family to the west; those in the east are shared with Lake Murray to the northeast. These non-stops contrast with high vowels /*i *u/ in the sequences /*ia *ui *ua/ and with high vowel offglides in diphthongs, which may be heard as semivowels but are neither aspirated nor occluded (below.) Apical non-stop /*ɾ/ is realized as /l/ in Mbian and in the western dialects. Velar non-stop /*ɣ/ is aspirated and deoccluded to /h/ in the East and Kumb dialects.

Bilabial non-stop /*w/ is occluded to /v/ in Mbian, Kumb and East dialects and aspirated to /hʷ/ in the western dialects. The labiodental quality of Drabbe's <v> is confirmed by a more recent vocabulary of Matara village (q.v. Sohn, Lebold and Kriens 2009: 31-42.) Mbian often realizes /v/ as voiceless fricative [f] finally, or medially as the first member of a cluster such as those resulting from syncope (below.) In the East dialect, /v/ approaches voicelessness (Drabbe 1955: 16):

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*w- v v v hʷ [hʷ h] hʷ [hʷ h]
parents *wi vi
go down *wis (a-)vis vis [+hg] hʷis [bo]
go *wiɾ viɾ [hg] hʷil [bo]
think (3sg.) *wetok vetok ve'tok hʷetok hʷetok
watch closely *weseun véséwn [hg] hʷesewn [bo]
assemble *wewai vé-vai [hg] hʷehʷaj [bo]
father *wai ve ~ vei vai vai ~ vaⁱ hʷai hʷai
paddle (3 sg.) *ø-wai ø-vé ~ ø-vai [hg] ø-vai [hg] ø-he [hg] ø–hʷaj [bo]
remove clothes *waman vaman [hg] hʷaman [bo]
dry in sun (3 sg.)*wasak-e-un vasak-é-wn [hg] hask-e-un [rl]hʷasak-e-wn [bo]
machete *wak[a]ɾ[a] va'kra [pd]
vákɾ [hg]
take care of *wagib vagib [hg] hʷagib [bo]
open mouth *wahin vin [hg] vahin [hg]
stand (one leg) *waɣamin vaɣmin [hg] vahamin [hg]
hang *waɣob vahob [hg] hʷaɣob [bo]
parrot sp. *woi voi [hg] hoj [bo]
fight *wow vóv [hg] hoh [hg]
mother *wu vu vu vu hu hu
douse *wuseb vuseb [hg] huseb [hg] huseb [bo]
banana leaf *wuw vuv [hg] huh [hg] huh [bo]
*-w- v [v f] v v hʷ [h] hʷ [h]
canoe *iawun ja'vun javun ja'vun jahun jahun
nest *ewesa wefe'sa evesa
laugh *awed aved
swim *aw[e/o]ɾ avel avóɾ [hg] a'hol [rl] ahol [bo]
red clay sp. *awa ava ~ hava [hg] aha [hg] ahʷa [bo]
tear(s) *awasi af'si avasi
carry w/head *awui avui [hg] ahuj [bo]
pull out *awus avus [hg] ahus [bo]
penis *owi₂k o'vak u'vik
morning star *owom ovom [hg] ohom [rl] ohom [bo]
pigeon sp. *bewom ve'vom [pd]
bévom [hg]
behom [bo]
fish sp. *kiwa kiva [hg] kihʷa [bo]
goanna sp. *kadewuk kadivuk [hg] kade'huk [rl] kadihuk [bo]
die *kahi[wV]d kahivð kahivd kahid kahid
paddle (n.) *ka-wai-a kavea kavea ~ kaviakavi'a kahe kahʷaⁱa
sago beater *ka-ɣawek ka-havek [hg] kaɣahʷek [bo]
assemble *wewai vé-vai [hg] hʷehʷaj [bo]
hornbill *ɣ[ei/ai]wui heivui [hg] ɣajhuj [bo]
eat *ɣawi[ɣ] havik havik ~ havi [pd]
havi [hg]
ahi ɣahʷiɣ [+bo]
pound sago *ɣawek havek [hg] ɣahʷek [bo]
*-w v [v f] v v hʷ [h] hʷ [h]
weeping/crying *iw if iv
right (side) *atow
many/all *otiw u'tiv utiv o'tiv utih otih
leave (3 sg.) *um-u-w um-u-v um-u-v um-u-v [+hg] um-u-h um-u-h [+bo]
be crooked (3 sg.)*mik-e-w mik-e-v [hg] mik-e-ø [hg] mik-e-h [bo]
village *miɾaw mi'laf mi'ɾav [pd]  miɾáv [hg] mi'lah [rl] milah [bo]
egg *magaw ma'gaf
buzz/hum *muŋgew muŋgev [hg] muŋgeh [bo]
fire/firewood *tekaw tekav ~ te'kaf takav ta'kav takah takah
sago w/banana *siw siv [hg] sihʷ [bo]
back *sew sef [pd]
sév [hg]
sev'ta [pd]
sévt ~ séwt [hg]
sews [bo]
coast/beach *duw duv duh duh
sweet potato *kaw kaf kav [pd]
káv [hg]
-kah [rl] -kah [bo]
pick up (3 sg.) *k-um-u-w k-u'm-u-v k-u'm-u-v [+hg]
fight *wow vóv [hg] hoh [hg]
banana leaf *wuw vuv [hg] huh [hg] huh [bo]
above *ɾawaɾaw lavlav ravrav ravarav lahala lahʷalah
Atih *ɣatiw hativ atih ɣatih
hop/jump *ɣosew hosév [hg] ɣoseh [bo]
tremble *ɣuiew hujév [hg] ɣujeh [bo]

Apical non-stop /*ɾ/ is reflected as /l/ the West and Atih dialects and in Mbian. In the East dialect it is given as <r> and in Kumb variably as <r l>. While Drabbe made no effort to distinguish between rhotics [r ɾ] etc., a more recent vocabulary from Matara village gives reflexes of /ɾ/ as retroflexed flap [ɽ] initially and medially and as a trill [r] only finally (q.v. Sohn, Lebold and Kriens 2009: 31-42.) It is more common finally than medially and uncommon initially (q.v. Geurtjens 1933: 281-293.):

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*ɾ- l ɾ <r l> ɾ <r> l l
flow/stream *ɾik rik [hg] lik [bo]
resultative *-ɾa -la [~ -a -ta] -ɾa [~ -a -ta] -la [~ -ta] [bo]
above *ɾawaɾaw lavlav ɾavɾav ɾavaɾav lahala lahʷalah
coucal sp. *ɾaɾag ɾaɾag [hg] lalag [bo]
speak *ɾaɣ laɣ ɾah
Rahuk *ɾaɣuk ɾahuk laɣuk
make fence *ɾod lo'd-a ɾod-a [pd]
ɾód [hg]
lod [bo]
tree sp. *ɾu ɾu [hg] lu [bo]
plant shoot(s) *ɾun ɾun [hg] lun [bo]
almond tree *ɾug ɾug [hg] lug [bo]
call by name *ɾu[ɣ] ɾu ~ ɾuh [hg] lu [bo]
pour *ɾuɣad ɾuad ~
ɾuhad [hg]
luɣad [bo]
body hair/fur *ɾuɾ lul ɾuɾ [+hg] lul [bo]
*-ɾ- l ɾ <r l> ɾ <r> l l
bird sp. *iaɾo jaɾó [hg] jalo [bo]
watercress sp. *eɾeɾ eɾ-éɾ [hg] elel [bo]
call *aɾin a'lin a'ɾin
slow *aɾiɾ a'lil a'ɾiɾ
worm *aɾo
stingray sp. *ueɾi wéɾi [hg] weli [bo]
run *uaɾak
sharp *uaɾoaka 'waloaka woɾo'waka
village *miɾaw mi'laf mi'ɾav [pd]  miɾáv [hg] mi'lah [rl] milah [bo]
garden *mVɾu mulu [hg] maɾu [+hg] ma'lu [rl] malu [bo]
rainbow *maɾ[e/o]b maleb [+hg] maɾob [hg]
plant sp. *maɾ[o]b maɾob [hg] malob [bo]
greens sp. *piɾu piɾu [hg] pilu [bo]
vagina *peɾa pe'ɾa [pd]
péra [hg]
pela [bo]
bird sp. *paɾi-paɾi paɾi-paɾi [hg] palpali [bo]
ridge *paɾe paɾé [hg] pale [bo]
thin *paɾapaɾ pa'ɾapaɾ [pd]
paɾ-a-paɾ [hg]
tuber sp. *paɾu[ŋ/ŋg] paɾuŋg [hg] paɾuŋ [bo]
breadfruit *baɾau ba'ɾaw [+hg] balaw [bo]
seagull sp. *mbiɾu biɾu [hg] mbilu [bo]
stone axe *mbeɾi mbeli mbeli mbe'ɾi mbeli mbeli ~ mbel
armband sp. *mbaɾaɾ mbaɾaɾ [hg] mbalal [bo]
fly (n.) *mbuɾambuɾ mbaɾa'mbuɾ [pd]
mbuɾ-a-mbuɾ
[hg]
mbulambul [bo]
lapwing sp. *taɾe-taɾe taɾé-taɾé [hg] taltale [bo]
tendon *taɾagi taɾagi
mud *daɾoh daɾóh [hg] dalo ~ daloh [rl]dalo [bo]
sarus crane *ndaɾau daɾaw [hg] ndalaw [bo]
foam *ndaɾo[m/mb] daɾómb [hg] dalom [bo]
palm sp. *saɾiŋga saɾiŋga [hg] saliŋga [bo]
coconut flower *saɾeɣ saréh [hg] saleɣ [bo]
prawn sp. *saɾeɣ saréh [hg] saleɣ [bo]
sago vein (?) *saɾaku saɾaku [hg] salaku [bo]
bird sp. *saɾuk saɾuk [hg] saluk [bo]
bird sp. *suɾin[ei/ai] suɾinei [hg] sulina [bo]
tie *kipaɾud kipɾud ~ kipludkipaɾud kipalud kipalud
fish sp. *kiɾub kiɾub [hg] kilub [bo]
defecate *keɾim ke'lim ka'ɾim
dry *kapaɾet kapaɾét [hg] 'kapalet [rl] 'kapalet [rl]
watercress sp. *kambaɾi kambaɾi [hg] kambali [bo]
fish sp. *kaɾambu kaɾambu [hg] kalambu [bo]
snake sp. *kuɾuam kulwam [hg] kuɾwan [hg] kulwam [bo]
shoulder *gaɾg[e]ɾa gaɾ'geɾa
creeper sp. *guɾi guɾi [hg] guli [bo]
sago with fish *ŋgaɾamo gaɾamo ~
ŋgaɾamo [hg]
ŋgaɾamo [bo]
tree sp. *ŋgaɾasaɾ ŋgaɾsaɾ
~ gaɾsaɾ [hg]
ŋgalasal [bo]
spit *haɾiɣ haɾih [hg] haliɣ [bo]
miss shot *haɾetok haɾétok [hg] haletok [bo]
miss/pass *haɾad aɾad ~ haɾad [hg] halad [bo]
become loose *haɾak haɾak [hg] halak [bo]
coucal sp. *ɾaɾag ɾaɾag [hg] lalag [bo]
frog *ɣadoɾo adolo ɣadolo
lie down (sg.) *ɣaɾ[i] ɣa:l haɾi [hg] ɣali [bo]
*-ɾ l ɾ <r l> ɾ [r] l l
nail/claw *itiɾ i'tiɾ [+hg] itil [bo]
hunger *emeɾ emeɾ [pd]
eméɾ [hg]
emel [bo]
watercress sp. *eɾeɾ eɾ-éɾ [hg] elel [bo]
swim *aw[e/o]ɾ avel avóɾ [hg] a'hol [rl] ahol [bo]
slow *aɾiɾ a'lil a'ɾiɾ
cheek *aɣadiɾ ahadir [hg] a:dil [hg]
star *uaiaɾ wa'jal waɾai wa'jaɾ wajal wajal
be sitting (sg.)*miɾ miɾ [hg] mil [bo]
tree sp. *mijaɾ mizaɾ [hg] mihal [bo]
shade/shadow *matuɾ matuɾ [hg] matul [bo]
sago splints *pandaɾ pandaɾ [hg] pandal [bo]
skin/bark *paɾ paɾ paɾ [pd]
páɾ [hg]
pal pal [+bo]
thin *paɾapaɾ pa'ɾapaɾ [pd]
paɾ-a-paɾ [hg]
chest *beɾ bel beɾ [+hg] bel [bo]
armband sp. *mbaɾaɾ mbaɾaɾ [hg] mbalal [bo]
bird sp. *mbaɣoɾ bahoɾ [hg] mbaɣol [bo]
fly (n.) *mbuɾambuɾ mbaɾa'mbuɾ [pd]
mbuɾ-a-mbuɾ
[hg]
mbulambul [bo]
shy *duɾ dul duɾ
paradise sp. *sakiɾ sa'kil sa'kiɾ [+hg] sakil [bo]
wind *kiuaɾ ki'waɾ
cough/phlegm *kepu₂ɾ ke'pal ka'puɾ [+hg] kepul [rl] kapul [bo]
stone *ketaɾ ka'taɾ katal katal
heavy *k[e/a]niɾ ka'niɾ [+hg]
fat/grease *kabeɾ kabel kabeɾ
unripe fruit *ŋgaɾ ŋgáɾ [hg] ŋgal [bo]
tree sp. *ŋgaɾasaɾ ŋgaɾsaɾ
~ gaɾsaɾ [hg]
ŋgalasal [bo]
leaf *ŋgoɾ ŋgoɾ [pd]
ŋgóɾ [hg]
ŋgol ŋgol [+bo]
go *wiɾ viɾ [hg] hʷil [bo]
body hair/fur *ɾuɾ lul ɾuɾ [+hg] lul [bo]
endurance *jiuaɾ ziwaɾ [hg] hiwal [hg]
sweet *ɣaeɾ ɣael- heɾ

Palatal non-stop /*j/ is occluded to /z/ in Mbian, Kumb and East dialects and aspirated to /hʲ/ in the western dialects. As with the occluded reflex of /*w/ Mbian can realizes /v/ as voiceless fricative [s] medially as the first member of a cluster such as those resulting from syncope (below.) In the East dialect, /z/ approaches voicelessness and can be heard as [s] word-finally (Drabbe 1955: 16):

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*j- z z z hʲ [h hʲ]hʲ [h hʲ]
sing/song *ji zi hi hi
be *jiua ziwa [hg] hiwa [hg]
endurance *jiuaɾ ziwaɾ [hg] hiwal [hg]
headdress sp. *jimbu zimbu [hg] himbu [hg] himbu [bo]
shin *jin zin zin [+hg] hin [hg]
grandfather *je ze he he
grandchild *jeb zeb zeb
husband *jam zam zam zam ham ham
pelican sp. *jabug zabug ~ -k [hg] habug [hg] hʲabug [bo]
half-ripe *jajak zazak [hg] hʲahʲak [bo]
tired *jaju za'zu za'zu
fornication *jo[m/mb] zom [pd]
zómb [hg]
hʲom͜b [bo]
fish sp. *johe zohé [hg] hʲohʲe [bo]
grandmother *ju zu
wife *jum zum zum zum hʲum hʲum
*-j- z [z s] z z hʲ [hʲ s]hʲ [hʲ h]
sago petiole *ij[e]mi iz'mi [pd]
izmi [hg]
izimi [hg] ihémi [hg] ihimi [bo]
one *ijako[d] eska iskad ~ iskodizakod sakod heakod
snake *ajaki azaki azaki ahʲaki ahʲaki
plait (?) *aɣajab ahazab [bo] a:jab [hg] aɣahʲab [bo]
bundle *aɣajak ahazak [hg] a:jak [hg]
bird *ujub uzub uzub uzub uhʲub uhʲub
tree sp. *mijaɾ mizaɾ [hg] mihal [bo]
Sanggase *saŋgaje saŋgaze saŋgahe
nit(s) *kajabit kazabit [hg] kahʲabit [bo]
half-ripe *jajak zazak [hg] hʲahʲak [bo]
tired *jaju za'zu za'zu
thick *jumbVju[m/mb] zumba'zum [pd]
zumb-a-zumb
[hg]
become clear (?)*ɣajad hazad [hg] ɣahʲad [bo]
*-j z z z hʲ [h] hʲ [h]
Imah *imaj imaz imah
name *igij i'giz i'giz
tree sp. *oj oz [hg] ohʲ [bo]
bow *mij miz miz miz [+hg] mih mih [+bo]
sour *kaj kaz kaz

Velar non-stop /*ɣ/ is aspirated and deoccluded in the central dialects of Marind, the distinction between /*ɣ *h/ being lost completely in the Eastern and Kumb dialects (q.v. Drabbe 1933: 14.) Atih reflects /*ɣ/ as glottal stop [ʔ] (zero initially and finally) or, less commonly, as [h]:

Marind Mbian Kumb East Atih West
*ɣ- ɣ h h ʕ [ø h] ɣ
drink/eat *ɣei ɣeⁱ ~ ɣi heⁱ heⁱ [pd]
hi ~ héi [hg]
heⁱ [pd}
i: ~ ej [rl]
ɣeⁱ [pd]
ɣi [bo]
ghost *ɣeis ɣeⁱs his ~ heⁱs ~
haⁱs [pd]
heis [hg]
heⁱs eⁱs ɣeⁱs [pd]
ɣis- [bo]
help *ɣ[ei/ai]na heina [hg] ɣajna [bo]
hornbill *ɣ[ei/ai]wui heivui [hg] ɣajhuj [bo]
laugh *ɣ[ai] ɣae
rain *ɣae ɣa hei ~ haⁱ he [pd]
hei [hg]
e ɣe
fetch *ɣae[t] -ɣaet -he
straight *ɣaedeha 'ɣaedeha he'da
sweet *ɣaeɾ ɣael- heɾ
brain(s) *ɣaum[o/u] 'haumu [pd]
haumó [hg]
ɣomu [bo]
burn (intr.) *ɣaunip hónip ~
hunip [hg]
unip̚ [rl] ɣunip [bo]
χaunip̚ [rl]
burn/cook *ɣaus ɣus haᵘs
light fire *ɣausig hu'sig [pd]
hausig ~
husig [hg]
ɣosig [bo]
night *ɣap ɣap hap hap ap ɣap
rat *ɣabo habó [hg] ɣabo [bo]
Atih *ɣatiw hativ atih ɣatih
light/bright *ɣad ɣa'da -had
burst *ɣadip é-ɣaɾip [hg] (a-)hadip [hg]
be sated *ɣadin ɣadin hadin [hg] ɣadin [bo]
leave behind *ɣadeun hadéwn [hg] ɣadewn [bo]
frog *ɣadoɾo adolo ɣadolo
belly *ɣandam handam ha'ndam andam ɣandam
beard *ɣas ɣas has
climbing belt *ɣaɣeu[n] ɣaɣón [hg] hahéw [hg] aeu [hg]
eat *ɣawi[ɣ] havik havik ~ havi [pd]
havi [hg]
ahi ɣahʷiɣ [+bo]
pound sago *ɣawek havek [hg] ɣahʷek [bo]
lie down (sg.) *ɣaɾ[i] ɣa:l haɾi [hg] ɣali [bo]
become clear (?)*ɣajad hazad [hg] ɣahʲad [bo]
approach/meet *ɣoman hóman [hg] ɣoman [bo]
watch/guard *ɣon hon [hg] ɣon [bo]
vomit *ɣod ɣod hod [hg] ɣod [bo]
hop/jump *ɣosew hosév [hg] ɣoseh [bo]
infant *ɣ[o/u]naɣon