Somahai language
| Momuna | |
|---|---|
| Somahai | |
| Native to | Indonesia |
| Region | Highland Papua: Yahukimo Regency South Papua: western Asmat Regency |
Native speakers | (2,200 cited 1998–2000)[1] |
| Dialects |
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | Either:mqf – Momunammb – Momina |
| Glottolog | soma1242 |
| ELP | Lua error in Module:Endangered_Languages_Project at line 21: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
Momuna (Momina), also known as Somahai (Somage, Sumohai), is a Papuan language spoken in Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua and Asmat Regency, South Papua, Indonesia.
Varieties
[edit | edit source]Reimer notes two dialects, one on the Balim River and one on the Rekai. One of the differences is that when /u/ follows an /u/ or /o/ in the Balim dialect, it is /i/ in the Rekai dialect. Thus the ethnonym 'Momuna' is pronounced 'Momina' in Rekai dialect.[3]
Classification
[edit | edit source]The Somahai pronouns, singular *na, *ka, *mo, are typical of Trans–New Guinea languages. They were placed in the Central and South New Guinea branch of that family by Wurm. Ross could not locate enough evidence to classify them. Usher found them to be closest to the Mek languages, in the Central West New Guinea, which partially overlaps with Wurm's C&SNG.
Phonology
[edit | edit source]| Labial | Alveolar | Velar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plosive | b | t | k |
| Fricative | s | ||
| Nasal | m | n | |
| Approximant | w | r | j |
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | i | u | |
| Mid-high | e | o | |
| Mid-low | ɛ | ɔ | |
| Low | a |
Additionally, there are at most three tones: high, low, and mid. The mid tone only occurs on monosyllabic words.[4]
Vocabulary
[edit | edit source]The following basic vocabulary words of Momuna are from Voorhoeve (1975),[5] as cited in the Trans-New Guinea database:[6][7]
gloss Momuna head toko hair toko-ate eye otu tooth ija leg i jo-ku louse amega dog kwoka pig uwo egg magisaga blood janɨ bone toko skin ke tree kwo man mogo-mearu sun ɨkɨ water iŋga fire kukwa stone kɨ eat nowa-
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Momuna at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
Momina at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required) - ^ Momuna–Mek, New Guinea World
- ^ Momuna, New Guinea World
- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Voorhoeve, C.L. Languages of Irian Jaya: Checklist. Preliminary classification, language maps, wordlists. B-31, iv + 133 pages. Pacific Linguistics, The Australian National University, 1975. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Voorhoeve, C.L., 1975. Languages of Irian Jaya Checklist, Canberra: Pacific Linguistics.
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
[edit | edit source]- Timothy Usher, New Guinea World, Proto–Momuna–Mek
- (ibid.) Momuna
- Somahai languages database at TransNewGuinea.org