Pohnpeic languages


Pohnpeic, also rendered Ponapeic, is a subgroup of the Chuukic–Pohnpeic branch of Micronesian in the Austronesian language family. The languages are primarily spoken in Pohnpei State of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Languages

Pohnpeic languages are distinct from the closely related Chuukic languages as a result of uniquely developed innovations. One such innovation is nasal substitution, where the first element in a consonant geminate becomes a homorganic nasal consonant. An example of this change is seen where Proto Chuukic-Pohnpeic */kkaŋ/ 'sharp' became Mokilese, whereas in Chuukese it is.

Phonology

Proto Oceanic*mp*mp,ŋp*p*m*m,ŋm*k*ŋk*ŋ*y*w*t*s,nj*ns,j*j*nt,nd*d,R*l*n*ɲ
Proto-Micronesian*p*pʷ*f*m*mʷ*k*x*ŋ*y*w*t*T*s*S*Z*c*r*l*n*ɲ
Proto Chuukic-Pohnpeic*p*pʷ*f*m*mʷ*k*∅,r3*ŋ*y*w*t*j*t*t*∅*c*r*l*n*ɲ
Proto-Pohnpeic*p1*pʷ*p, ∅2*m*mʷ*k*∅,r3*ŋ*y*w*j,∅1*j*t̻*t̻*∅*c*r*l*n*∅,n

1 In the Pohnpeic languages, geminate obstruents are realized as homorganic nasal-obstruent clusters.
2 Often before.
3 Before.
4 The reflex is *∅ sporadically before PMc *e.

Reconstructed vocabulary