# Proto-Trans–New Guinea language

Proto-Trans–New Guinea is the reconstructed proto-language ancestral to the Trans–New Guinea languages. Reconstructions have been proposed by Malcolm Ross and Andrew Pawley.

## Phonology

Proto-Trans–New Guinea is reconstructed with a typical simple Papuan inventory: five vowels, /i e a o u/, three phonations of stops at three places, /p t k, b d ɡ, m n ŋ/ (Andrew Pawley reconstructs the voiced series as prenasalized /mb nd ŋɡ/), plus a palatal affricate /dʒ ~ ndʒ/, the fricative /s/, and the approximants /l j w/. Syllables are typically (C)V, with CVC possible at the ends of words. Many of the languages have restricted tone systems.
    Consonants$^{:136}$ BilabialApicalPalatalVelar Plosive ptk Prenasalised plosives ᵐbⁿd ᶮʤᵑg Nasals mnɲŋ Fricatives s Laterals l Semivowels wj
The Proto-Trans–New Guinea vowels are reconstructed as having a cross-linguistically frequent five-vowel system:
    Vowels Front Central Back Close i u Mid e o Open a

## Pronouns

Ross reconstructs the following pronominal paradigm for Trans–New Guinea, with *a~*i ablaut for singular~non-singular:
    I*nawe*ni thou*gayou*gi s/he*(y)a, *uathey*i
There is a related but less commonly attested form for 'we', *nu, as well as a *ja for 'you', which Ross speculates may have been a polite form. In addition, there were dual suffixes *-li and *-t, and a plural suffix *-nV, (i.e. n plus a vowel) as well as collective number suffixes *-pi- (dual) and *-m- (plural) that functioned as inclusive we when used in the first person. (Reflexes of the collective suffixes, however, are limited geographically to the central and eastern highlands, and so might not be as old as proto-Trans–New Guinea.)

## Morphology

Studies group Madang, Finisterre-Huon, and Kainantu-Goroka together as part of a larger Northeast New Guinea (NENG) group on the basis of morphological evidence, such as mutually reconstructable verbal suffixes that mark subject:$^{:147–148}$

### Proto-Northeast New Guinea subject-marking verbal suffixes

    singulardualplural 1st person *-Vn*-u(l,t)*-un, *-i 2nd person *-an *-i(l,t) *-ai, *-i, *-a 3rd person *-a, *-i*-ai

### Comparison of reconstructions of subject-marking verbal suffixes

    proto-Northeast New Guineaproto-Madangproto-Finisterre-Huonproto-Kainantu-GorokaProto-Trans–New Guinea (tentative) 1sg *-Vn*-in ?*-u*-Vn 2sg *-an*-an,*-i*-an*-an*-Vn 3sg *-a,*-i*-a,*-an*-a,*-i*-ai,*-i*-a,*-i 1du *-u(l,t)-*-u(l,t)*-u(l,t)*-ur*-u(l,t) 2/3du *-i(l,t)*-i(l,t)*-i(l,t) ?*-i(l,t) 1pl *-un,*-i*-un*-un*-un 2/3pl *-ai,*-i,*-a*-ai,*-i*-e,*-i*-a

## Lexicon

Lexical words, such as *niman 'louse', may also be reconstructed:
       Reflexes of *niman 'louse', which attest to an intermediate *iman in the east:
    Chimbu–Wahgi: Mid/Nuclear Wahgi numan
    Engan: Enga & Kewa lema
    Finisterre–Huon: Kâte imeŋ, Selepet imen
    Gogodala mi
    Kainantu–Goroka: Awa nu, Tairora nume, Fore numaa, Gende (tu)nima
    Southern Kiwai nimo
    Koiarian: Managalasi uma
    Kolopom: Kimaghama nome, Riantana nome
    Kwale nomone
    Madang: Kalam yman, Watiwa (Rai Coast) im, Sirva (Adelbert) iima
    Mek: Kosarek ami
    Marori nemeŋk
    Paniai Lakes: Ekari yame (metathesis?)
    Timor–Alor–Pantar: Western Pantar (h)amiŋ, Oirata amin (metathesis?)
    Wiru nomo
       Questionable branches:
    Pauwasi: Yafi yemar
    Central Sentani mi
The Proto-Trans–New Guinea negative is reconstructed as *ma-. Negatives in Trans–New Guinea languages usually have either an mV- or nV- form.
* *mV (often *ma): Angaatɨha (Angan); Apalɨ, Waskia, Kalam (Madang); Kâte, Kombe (Finisterre-Huon)
* *na ~ *naa: Awara (Finisterre-Huon); Enga, Ku Waru, Middle Wahgi (Chimbu-Wahgi); Oksapmin

## Reconstructions

Proto-Trans-New Guinea reconstructions$^{:141–146}$ :
| body parts ||
| arm, forearm | *mbena |
| belly, internal organs | *mundun |
| blood | *ke(nj,s)a |
| bone | *kondaC |
| brain | *muk[V] |
| breast | *amu |
| buttocks | *simbi + modifier |
| cheek | *mVkVm |
| claw, hand | *sikal or *sakil |
| ear | *kand(i,e)k[V] |
| excrement 1 | [same as 'guts'] |
| excrement 2 | *ata |
| eye 1 (cf. egg 2) | *(ŋg,k)iti-maŋgV |
| eye 2 | *ŋg(a,u)mu |
| eye 3 | *nVpV |
| fingernail | *(mb,p)(i,u)t(iu)C |
| foot, lower leg | *k(a,o)nd(a,o)[C] |
| forehead, head | *mVtVna |
| guts, intestines, bowels | *sim(i,u), *simbi |
| hair 1 | *(nd,s)umu(n,t)[V] |
| hair 2, leaf | *iti |
| head 1 | *kV(mb,p)utu |
| head 2 | *mVtVna |
| heart 1 (cf. belly, egg 2) | *mundu-maŋgV |
| heart 2 | *simu |
| heart 3 | *kamu |
| knee | *(ŋg,k)atuk |
| leg 1 | *k(a,o)nd(a,o)[C] |
| leg 2, calf | *kitu |
| liver | *[ma]pVn |
| milk, sap | *muk |
| mouth, teeth | *maŋgat[a] |
| navel | *simu + modifier |
| neck 1 | *k(a,e)(nd,t)ak |
| neck 2, nape, side of | *kuma(n,ŋ)[V] |
| nose | *mundu |
| penis | *mo |
| saliva | *si(mb,p)at[V] |
| shoulder | *kinV |
| skin | *(ŋg,k)a(nd,t)apu |
| testicles | *walaka |
| tongue 1 | *mbilaŋ |
| tongue 2 | *me(l,n)e |
| tooth 1 | (see mouth) |
| tooth 2 | *titi |
| urine | *[si]si, *siti, *pisi |
| kin terms ||
| brother, older | *[mb]amba |
| father | *apa, *mbapa |
| grandparent | *apus[i] |
| husband, man | *ambi |
| mother, free form | *am(a,i,u) |
| mother, bound form | *na- |
| sibling, older | *nan(a,i) |
| sibling, older same sex | *[mb]amba |
| sister | *aya |
| age-gender and other social categories ||
| baby | *ŋaŋa |
| boy | *nV |
| man, husband | *ambi |
| orphan, widow & child | *mbeŋga-masi |
| woman, female | *panV |
| birds, bird parts ||
| bird 1 | *n[e]i |
| bird 2 | *yaka[i] |
| cassowary | *ku[y]a |
| egg 1 | *mun(a,e,i)ka |
| egg 2, fruit, seed | *maŋgV |
| tail | *a(mb,m)u |
| wing | *mbutu |
| insects ||
| butterfly | *apa[pa]ta |
| fly | *ŋgambu |
| louse | *niman, *iman |
| mosquito | *kasin |
| plants, plant parts ||
| bark | *ka(nd,t)ap[u] |
| casuarina | *kal(a,i)pV |
| fruit, seed (cf. egg 2) | *maŋgV |
| leaf 1, hair | *iti |
| leaf 2 | *sasak |
| root | *kindil |
| sap, milk | *muk |
| taro | *mV |
| tree, wood | *inda |
| inanimate world ||
| ashes 1 | *sumbu |
| ashes 2 | *kambu-sumbu |
| ashes 3 | *la(ŋg,k)a |
| cloud 1, sky | *samb[V] |
| cloud 2 | *ka(mb,p)utu |
| fire 1 | *k(a,o)nd(a,u)p |
| fire 2 | *inda |
| fire 3 | *kambu |
| flame | *mbalaŋ |
| ground 1 | *man[a] |
| ground 2 | *maka[n] |
| lightning, light | *(mb,m)elak |
| moon 1 | *takVn[V] |
| moon 2 | *kal(a,i)m |
| morning | *k(i,u)tuma + X |
| night | *k(i,u)tuma |
| sand | *sa(ŋg,k)asiŋ |
| sky 1, cloud | *samb[V] |
| thunder, sky 2 | *kumut, *tumuk |
| smoke 1 | *kambu(s,t)(a,u) |
| smoke 2 | *kambu-la(ŋg,k)a |
| stone 1 | *kamb(a,u)na |
| stone 2 | *[na]muna |
| sun 1 | *kamali |
| sun 2 | *ketane |
| water 1 | *ok[V] |
| water 2 | *nok |
| wind 1 | *kumbutu |
| wind 2, breeze | *pinVm |
| artefacts ||
| axe | *tu |
| fence | *wati |
| netbag 1 | *kun |
| netbag 2 | *at(i,u) |
| string, rope | *asi |
| intangible cultural concepts ||
| instructions, language, word, speech | *mana |
| mind, thought | *n(o,u)man |
| name 1 | *imbi |
| name 2, who | *wani |
| shadow, spirit | *k(aw,o)nan |
| song, type of | *saŋ |
| witchcraft | *kum |
| independent pronouns (for subject, object, possessor) ||
| 1 singular | *na |
| 2 singular | *ŋga |
| 3 singular | *ya |
| 3 singular | *wa |
| 1 plural | *ni, *nu |
| 1 plural | *ni |
| 2 plural | *ŋgi, *ki |
| 1 dual | *niLi, *nuLi |
| 2 dual | *ŋgiLi, *kiLi |
| 3 dual | *iLi |
| verbal suffixes marking person-number of subject ||
| 1 singular | *-Vn |
| 2 singular | *-an |
| 1 dual | *-uL |
| 2/3 dual | *-iL |
| 1 plural | *-un |
| 1 singular different subject | *-pa |
| verbs ||
| be (live, stay, sit) | *mVna- |
| bite | *s(i,u)- |
| blow | *pu + verb |
| break | *pa(ŋg,k)- |
| burn | *nd(a,e,i)- |
| burn, light a fire | *ki- |
| carry (on back, shoulder) | *kak(i,u)- |
| come | *me- |
| cook | *andu- |
| cut, chop | *tVk- |
| die | *kumV- |
| do, make | *ti- |
| dream | *kina(mb,p)- |
| eat, drink | *na- |
| fly, flutter | *putu(putu)- |
| give | *mV- |
| go 1 | *pu- |
| go 2 | *yata- |
| hit | *tu- |
| know, hear, see | *nVŋg- |
| laugh | *ŋgiti (+ verb) |
| live, be, sit | see 'be' |
| put | *(m,p)a(l,t)V- |
| say, speak | *nde- |
| see, know, perceive | *nVŋg- |
| shoot | *tVmV- |
| sleep 1, lie down | *kin(i,u)[m] |
| sleep 2 | *p(e,i)t(e,i)o- |
| speak, talk | *nde- |
| spit | *kasipa- |
| stand | *t(a,e,i)k[V]- |
| swell | *su + verb |
| take | *(nd,t)a- |
| tie | *ndiŋga-, *ndaŋgi |
| turn (oneself) | *mbuli[ki] + verb |
| urinate | *X + *si- (urine + verb) |
| vomit | *mVŋ[g]V ti- |
| adjectives ||
| blue | *muk[V] |
| cold | *kukam(o,u) |
| dry | *ŋgatata |
| full | *t(o,u)k(i,u) ti- |
| heavy | *kenda |
| long | *k(o,u)t(u,i)p |
| new | *kVtak |
| short | *tumba |
| straight | *tutu[tu]ku |
| conjunctions ||
| and | *ito |
| negatives ||
| not | *ma- (+ verb) |
| numerals ||
| two | *ta(l,t)(a,e) |

## Lexical comparison

Body parts :
| family | language | head | hair | ear | eye | nose | tooth | tongue | leg | blood | bone | skin | breast |
| Trans-New Guinea | Proto-Trans-New Guinea | *kobutu; *kV(mb,p)utu; *mUtUna; *mVtVna | *iti; *(nd,s)umu(n,t)[V]; *zumun | *ka(nd,t)(i,e)C; *kat(i,e)C; *tVmV(d) | *g(a,u)mu; *ŋg(a,u)mu; *(ŋg,k)iti [maŋgV]; *nVpV | *mundu; *mutu | *magata; *maŋgat[a]; *titi | *balaŋ; *mbilaŋ; *me(l,n)e; *me(n,l)e | *kani(n); *k(a,o)ond(a,o)C; *kitu | *ke(ñj,s)a; *kesa | *kondaC; *kwata(l,n) | *gatapu; *(ŋg,k)a(nd,t)apu | *amu |
| West Bomberai | Proto-Mbahaam-Iha | *kaˈnda | | *kʷⁱɛr | | | | | | *wⁱɛk | *ˈtɔkar | *pak | *sɔn |
| Asmat-Kamoro | Proto-Asmat-Kamrau | *uɸu | *ɸini | *jiɸ[a/o]ne | *manaN | *miC | *siC | *komane | *mawu | *ese | *eake | | *awo |
| Ok-Oksapmin | Proto-Ok-Oksapmin | | | | *kiin | *(mu)duum | | *fV(lV)ŋ | | *xeim | | | |
| Greater Awyu | Proto-Awyu-Dumut | *kɑibɑn; *xaiban | *möxö; *muk; *ron | *turun | *kerop | *togut | | *fɔgat; *fɔgɛt; *pogɑt | | *gom | | *kɑt; *xa(t) | *ɑm; *om |
| Kayagaric | Proto-Gondu River | *toxom | *upm | *itipaːm | *sakam | *jup | *o[x/ɣ]om | *maetap | *apit | *jes | *nomop | *pip | *etum |
| Kolopom | Proto-Kolopom | *tipV; *mVrV[w] | *muen[a] | ? *mVrVk; *[ndz][o/u]an | *VnV | *ŋgon | *t[e]r[a]k | *mepreŋg | | *iendz | | | *mam |
| Anim | Proto-Fly River | | | | *kindV[C] | | *kam | *sas | | | *mbai[a]ŋg; *ɸia[u] | | |
| Anim | Proto-Inland Gulf | *gia | | *tu; *jeja | *kuɸino | *dasi | *ta; *bese | *koda; *sasa | *idini | | *ɸia | *nikopi; *ko[j]ipo | *jono |
| Anim | Proto-Lower Fly River | | *duɾumə; *duɾum | *towap | *baɾid | *miw | *suwə; *kam; *su | *jimə; *jim | | *nauɾə | *naɾak(ə); *baig | | *bub |
| Anim | Proto-Marind | *pa | | *kembet, *kambet | *kind | *aŋgi₂p | *maŋgat | *inum | *tegu | *do | *haiau, *hiau | *ugu | *bub |
| Marori | Morori | merao | pu | | ayix | | terox | | tegu | ŋgorom | ŋgwar | par | |
| Gogodala-Suki | Gogodala | ganabi | tita | igibi | tao | mina | poso | mɛlɛpila | | | gosa | kaka | omo |
| Kiwaian | Proto-Kiwai | *kepuɾu | *mus[ua] | *gaɾe | *idomaɾi | *wodi | *ibo(-nVɾV) | *uototoɾo[p/b]e | *sakiɾo | *kaɾima; *sa[w]i | *soɾo | *tama | *amo |
| Paniai Lakes | Ekari (Paniai Lake dialect) | migo | iyo | | peka | juma | egó | etá | | emo | mitoo | kadó | ama |
| Dani | Dani, Lower Grand Valley (Tangma dialect) | mʋkkʋl-oak | nesi | nesakko | neil-ekken | namisaŋ | naik | namili | | mep | noak | nakap | neilak |
| Somahai | Momuna | toko | toko-ate | | otu | | ija | | i jo-ku | janɨ | toko | ke | |
| Mek | Proto-Mek | | *p[ɔ]t[ɔ]ŋ | *aᵓ | *atiŋ | | *jo̝ | *se̝l[ija]mu | *jan | *e̝ne̝ŋ | *jɔk | | *mɔᵘm |
| Awin-Pa | Proto-Kamula-Elevala | *ke̝ba | | *m[ɔ/o̝]d[ɔ/o̝] | *kinɔ | *kine̝ | *bate̝ | *taⁱ | *tama | | *ke̝dɔ | | |
| East Strickland | Gobasi | ulʌkib | o dɔsɔ | dulo | hiɔ̃ | mina | mɔi | ili | hɔma | sõho | kib | kɔlɔf | tɔnu |
| Duna-Bogaya | Duna | kuni | hini | kɔhane; konane | le | kuma | ne; nee | ogone; ɔgɔne | tia | kuyila | kuni | pulu | abu; adu; amu |
| Duna-Bogaya | Bogaya | yeľʌ; yela | heepi; yeľʌ eľika | hona; hɔnʌn | kina; ki:nʌn | kuuma; pfouľu | yagai; yʌkʌi | iki; ɩkin | yehei; yehʌi | sokoya; yesʌ | hakale; hʌv̧ʌľe | hugwa; hukuʌn | alu; ʌľu |
| Bosavi | Kaluli | mise; misẽ | misẽ fɔ̃; mise foon | kenẽ; malo | si | migi | beso; bis | eʌn; sano | gidaafoo; gip | hɔbɔ; hooboo | ki | dɔgɔf; toogoof} | bo; bu |
| Kutubu | Proto-Lake Kutubu | *uni | *iti | | *hʲĩ | *sabe | *mete | *atu | *kotage | | *kigi | *ga[o/u] | *hʲokõ |
| Enga-Kewa-Huli | Enga (Sari dialect) | aiyomba | iri | kale | lenge | lya | neŋge | | moko | taiyoko | kuli | yoŋge | andu |
| Wiru | Wiru | tobou | pine; píne | kabidi | lene | timini | kime | keke; keké | kawa | kamate | tono | kepene | adu |
| Chimbu-Wahgi | Kuman | bit-na; bɩtiɩno | iŋguno; yungo | kina-na; kunano | gumutino; ongomit-na | guma-ne; gumano | siŋguno | dirambino | kati; kat-na | borɔmai; bořumai; maiam | yambiřo; yombura | gaŋgino | amu-na; amuno |
| Madang | Proto-Madang | *gat(a,i)(m) | *imunu | *kaun(i) | *amu | *mutu(gu) | *make | *mele | *kani(n) | *ka(d,r)a; *kara | *kwaten | *ga(n,r)a | *amu(na) |
| Finisterre | Mungkip | kʰige | sɨsa; sɪsa | maget; magitnɛ | dae; da·ge | miminɛ; mimiŋge | ma | mabɛm; mabim | kada | we·q | kwadi; kwadzi | girim | nom |
| Huon | Selepet | kun; kun- | somot; somot- | âdâp-; ɔndɔp | sen; sen- | hâme-; hɔme | sât-; sot | nibilam-; nimbilam | | hep- | haǥit; hahit- | hâk-; hɔk | nam; nam- |
| Kainantu-Goroka | Proto-Eastern Kainantu-Goroka | *-'no-N; *pia- | | *ä-Q-ra-N | | *-hi-Q | | *-mäpi-V | | *nade-V | | | *nä-N |
| Kainantu-Goroka | Proto-Eastern Kainantu | *piᵄtɐ | *jɐᵘsi | *ɑːtoː | *wu | *ipi | *wɐⁱ | *m₂ɑːpiɾi | *ipu | *wi[ʔt]ipɐ | *muʔjɑːni | | *nɑːNmɐ |
| Kainantu-Goroka | Proto-Northern Kainantu | *noːN | *jɐᵘ | *ɑːʔ | *u | *siʔ | *wɐj | *[m/n][ɐⁱ]piɾ | *tɐɾ | *nɑːɾeː | *(ɐ-)jɐNpɐ | | *nɑːN |
| Angan | Simbari | minta | mindata | kaantɨka | sɨmta | sɨmputa | maanka | kwaavlɨlɨ | sɨwla | mɨnjaaka | yankinta | kɨlaaka | aamɨnta |
| Turama-Kikori | Proto-Rumu-Omati | *mab | *b[au]t | *go̝ | *isĩ | *ju | *magu | | *tãᵋ | | *tab | | *sõ̝ |
| Goilalan | Fuyug | hul ha; ondobe | are; hul haluma | gadolo | hul li; im | hul hunga; unge | hul usi | hul asese | soga | tana | hude | hul hoda; ode | hul duda |
| Goilalan | Tauade | kɔrɔtɔ | awutu | kepapaí | tavai | ki:tʰ | nɔtɔvai | aivi | lɔ'vai | il'iví | keniví | kɔtipai | data |
| Greater Binanderean | Proto-Binandere | *ciro; *giti | *tu | | *dibe; *diti | | *di | *VwVwV | | *ju; *or{a,o}rә | *bobo; *wetu | *tamә | *ami |
| Koiarian | Proto-Koiarian | | *fómo | | *ni | *uri | | | | *taɣo | | *vata | *amu |
| Kwalean | Proto-Kwalean (Ross) | | *iku(va) | | *(u)bu(i)vi(ma) | *ʒaʒore | *vono(ne); *wano(ne) | | | *ruu | *esi(ne) | *ahiri | *n(a)u(ne) |
| Kwalean | Proto-Humene-Uare (Usher) | | *igu | | *ubuma | *jajɔɾɛ | *ɣɔnɔnɛ | *majanɛ | *ɔda | *ɾɔo̝ | *e̝tinɛ | *ahe̝ɾe̝ | *nuunɛ |
| Manubaran | Proto-Manubaran (Ross) | *ada | *weʔia | *ane-ma | *ne(u) | *uru-ma | *gade | *afie | *[n,y]u-ka | | *nena | *roʔ(o,a) | |
| Manubaran | Proto-Mount Brown (Usher) | *ada | *u[w]e[t/k]a | *anema | *ne | *uɾuma | *gade | *api[j]e | | *daweʔa | *nena | *ɾoʔo | *sisu |
| Yareban | Proto-Musa River | *bo-tai | *idi | *ome | *nai-tai | *iboʔo | *ni[ʔ]o | *meana | *buɾi | *iwa | *tai | *ope | *ama |
| Mailuan | Mailu (Ilai dialect) | ilolo | liʔimu | ʔope | ini | durumu | maʔa | goba | ʔau | lala | kisa | ʔopi | ama |
| Dagan | Daga | iwa | igumewa | darinewa | yamewa | ginewa | nodonewa | mɛriwa | | dɛnip | kaemewa | ɛpiwa | amewa |
Nature :
| family | language | louse | dog | pig | bird | egg | tree | sun | moon | water | fire | stone | path |
| Trans-New Guinea | Proto-Trans-New Guinea | *niman | | | *n(e,i); *n(e)i; *n[e]i; *yak; *yaka[i]; *yanem | *maŋgV; *munaka; *mun(a,u)ka | *ida; *inda ~ *iñja | *kamali; *kamuli; *ketana | *kal(a,i)m; *kamali; *takVn; *takVn[V] | *nok; *(n)ok; *ok(u); *ok[V] | *inda; *k(a,e)dap; *k(a,e)(n,d)ap; *kambu; *k(a,o)nd(a,u)p | *kamb(a,u)na; *(na)muna; *[na]muna | |
| West Bomberai | Proto-Mbahaam-Iha | *mɛⁱn | *jaˈmbar | *[ku]ˈndur | | *wun | *wiˈra | *kaˈminV | *kaˈpas | *kiˈra | | *war | |
| Asmat-Kamoro | Proto-Asmat-Kamrau | *amo | *juwuɾi | *oɸo | | *[a]sa | *ose | *jawu | *buɾa | *m[oi/ui] | *usa | *jeta | |
| Ok-Oksapmin | Proto-Ok-Oksapmin | | *mVjaan | *kVŋ; *saamVVn | *aleem; *ilnem | | | *ataan | *kajoop | | | | |
| Greater Awyu | Proto-Awyu-Dumut | *gut | *angay; *ɑgɑi; *set | *wi | *yet | *wɑidin | *yin | *seyɑt | *wɑkot | *ox | *yin | *irop | |
| Kayagaric | Proto-Gondu River | *num | *epe | *wakum | *suopam | *map-jaxam | *wom | *taːm | *xa[x/ɣ]atam | *o[x/ɣ]om | *atu | *maitn | *kamein |
| Kolopom | Proto-Kolopom | *nemeŋg | *n[ia] | *k[o/u][a] | | *uak | *nd[ua]t | | *kumbanV | *ndzu | | *mete | |
| Anim | Proto-Fly River | *n[u]m[u]ŋg | | *mbasik | | *kanV | *nde | | | | *tae | | |
| Anim | Proto-Inland Gulf | *uani | *gaso | *maɸa | *ewesa | *ɸutu; *usu | *de | *nowumu; *siwio | *bubei | *ogo | *maɸi; *ta[j]e | | *jigei |
| Anim | Proto-Lower Fly River | *oɾ[eae]n | *s[eae]; *diɾean | *m[i/e]nawə | *dawod | *sVɣaɾə | *naukə | *manom | *manom | *mau[g/k]ə | *j[i]au | *didigə | *ewean |
| Anim | Proto-Marind | *nahun; *mba[m/mb] | *ŋgat | *basik | *ujub | *magaw | *de | *katane | *mandou | *adeka | *tekaw | *ketaɾ; *seŋga | *isas |
| Marori | Morori | nemeŋk | koro | bosik | ujif | vi | kwi | kum | | deke | sir | mere | |
| Gogodala-Suki | Gogodala | ami | soke | uai | | | | kadɛpa | | wi | ila | | nabidi |
| Kiwaian | Proto-Kiwai | *nimo | *[k]umu | | *wowogo | *kikopu | *nuk₂a; *kota | *saɾik₂i; *si[w]io | *sagomi; *owe | *kobo | *keɾa | *(nok₂oɾa-)kopi | *gabo |
| Paniai Lakes | Ekari (Paniai Lake dialect) | uka | dodi | ekina | bedo | nipo | pija | meuka; tani | agoo | uwo | bodija | mogo | itá |
| Dani | Dani, Lower Grand Valley (Tangma dialect) | napɩ | jekke | wam | sʋe | sʋe-kken | e | mo | tuki | i | ettu | helep | kwe |
| Somahai | Momuna | amega | kwoka | uwo | | magisaga | kwo | ɨkɨ | | iŋga | kukwa | kɨ | |
| Mek | Proto-Mek | *ami | *gam | *be̝sam | *mak, *mag | *do̝[k] | *gal | *k[ɛ]t[e̝]ŋ | *wal | *m[ɛ/a]g | *o̝ᵘg | *gɛⁱl; *gidig | *bi[t/s]ig |
| Awin-Pa | Proto-Kamula-Elevala | *awV | *ti | *m₂aⁱnæ | *te̝ja | *m[ɔ/o̝]k[ɔ/o̝] | *je̝ | *gani | | | | *ike̝ | |
| East Strickland | Gobasi | om | sɔf | bɔi | sigɔ | wigɔ hɔlɔ | hɔmɔ̃n | õs | ogɔ | hõ | dɔbu | yo | |
| Duna-Bogaya | Duna | tete | yawi | isa | heka | hapa | lowa; lɔwa | hewa | eke | yu | lɔwa kiliana; lowa puru | kana; kuna | |
| Duna-Bogaya | Bogaya | fando; fiľʌ | ɔv̧ɔpi; yau | ʌpʌn | aka; pitʌkʌ | oondi; pitʌkʌ ɔ̃udi | dowa; tɔuʌ | owa; ɔwa | kaiyuu; kʌiu | paiyuku; pʌiuku | dowada; tɔun | haana; hʌnʌ | |
| Bosavi | Kaluli | fe; fẽ | gasa; kasʌ | kabɔ | ɔ̃bẽ; oloone; oobaa | ɔ̃bẽ uš; us | i | of; ɔf | ili | hɔ̃n; hoon | de; di | u | |
| Kutubu | Proto-Lake Kutubu | | *g[e/ẽ/a]s[a/ã] | *mena | *hʲaka | *kapa | *ita | | *he̝ge̝ | *hẽ | *ita | *kana | *ig[i]a |
| Enga-Kewa-Huli | Enga (Sari dialect) | tilya | yana | mena | yaka | yaka tuku | ita | niki; nira | kana | indaki | ira | kan | kait |
| Wiru | Wiru | nomo; nomò | tue | kaì | ini; inì | mu̧ | yomo; yomò | lou; loú | tokene | ue; uè | toe | kue; kué | |
| Chimbu-Wahgi | Kuman | numan | aʝg; agi; akɬ̥ | bogla; bugɬa | kua | mugɬo; muɬo | endi | ande; andesuŋgua | ba | nigl; nikɬ̥ | baugl; doŋga | kombuglo; kombugɬo | konbo; konumbo |
| Madang | Proto-Madang | *[n]iman | | | *kVbara | *munaka | *tari | *kamali | *kalam; *takun | *yag(V) | *k(a,e)dap | *namanu | |
| Finisterre | Mungkip | mi; mīŋ | sap | kare | jāŋ | qiliq | bɛm | maim; male | jaʁip | ime; imɛ | kuduk; kugup | qawade | tɛlɛ; tɛrɛpmēŋ |
| Huon | Selepet | imen | soso | | nâi; nɔi | | nak | dewutâ; dewutɔ | emesenŋe | to | kɔlɔp | kât; kɔt | giop |
| Kainantu-Goroka | Proto-Eastern Kainantu-Goroka | *nu-N | *iya-N | *poe-V | | | *yë-V | | | *no-N | *ida-V | | *ä-N |
| Kainantu-Goroka | Proto-Eastern Kainantu | *numɐ | *w₂ɐⁱni | *p₂uᵄɾɐ | *inɑːmɐ; *uwini | *uɾu | *jɐtɐɾi | *j₂uᵄni | *[u]toːnɐ | *noːni | *iʔjɐ | *oːni | *ɑːni |
| Kainantu-Goroka | Proto-Northern Kainantu | *nuN | *ijɐN | *poːɾ | *nuN | *uɾ | *jɑːj | *ɑːʔ | *wi[ɾ]oːN | *noːN | *itɐ | *oː[ɾ/j] | *ɑːj |
| Angan | Simbari | ila | njɨlɨka | | ntaqatɨ | pantapta | ika | kwɨnja; nilya | lampaaka | aalya; wanya | ntɨka | sɨla | |
| Turama-Kikori | Proto-Rumu-Omati | *gutɔm | *gas | *gɔ[u]n | *gaᵋ | *d[ɔ]um | *i | *ɛsɔa | | *wẽ̝ | *i | | *dɛⁱ |
| Goilalan | Fuyug | hi | ho; oi | ovo | Nemba; nembe | hulombo | i'i | evuli | hama | ʒu | oki | zo | enamba; inambe |
| Goilalan | Tauade | dautʰ | kɔveřa | pɔřu | kide | mutuwu | eata | vatava | ɔne | ipi | e'na·m | evi'ti | bɔřiƀařa |
| Greater Binanderean | Proto-Binandere | | *sinә | *pu | | *munju | *i | *iji; *waeko | *inua | | *awo | *g{o,e}mb{a,i}(ro) | *begata; *esa; *ndai |
| Koiarian | Proto-Koiarian | *ʔumu | | | *ugu[fa] | *uni | *idí | | | | *vené | *muni | |
| Kwalean | Proto-Kwalean (Ross) | *(n)omo(ne) | *ɣuni | *aba | *teboare | *ma(va) | | *mada | *bato | *vou; *wara | *ire | *hadi | |
| Kwalean | Proto-Humene-Uare (Usher) | *nɔmɔnɛ | *ɣo̝ni | *aba | *ne̝ni; *t[e̝]b[o̝]ɾ[e̝] | *maɣa | | *maˈda | *batɔ | *wɔu | *iɾɛ | *hadi | *e̝bi |
| Manubaran | Proto-Manubaran (Ross) | *gue | *auna | *Dona | *erena | *une-ma | *yabo | *maida(ka) | *e(y)oʔa; *mohe- (?) | *koru | *ita | | |
| Manubaran | Proto-Mount Brown (Usher) | *gu[w]e | *auna | *dona | *eɾena | *unema | *jabo | *me[i]daʔa | *ejoʔa | *koɾu | *ita | *waʔiga | *ida |
| Yareban | Proto-Musa River | *uʔa | *kua | *boɾo | *gasiɾa; *ada | *baka; *uɾimi | *ana | *eweaka | *maɾabe; *sakaɾa | *adua | *inaʔa | *oma; *gebiɾo | *daʔaba |
| Mailuan | Mailu (Ilai dialect) | tuma | dari | talae | manu | muruʔu | ana | nina | dovele | ʔaʔama | eu | gomana | laea |
| Dagan | Daga | kuisin | eao | tuan | nɛnip | bagua | oma | oam | siragam | kaum | om |
Miscellaneous :
| family | language | man | woman | name | eat | one | two |
| Trans-New Guinea | Proto-Trans-New Guinea | *abV; *ambi | *panV; *pan(V) | *ibi; *imbi; *wani | *na; *na- | | *ta(l,t)(a,e) |
| West Bomberai | Proto-Mbahaam-Iha | *nami-sar | *t[ɔ/u]mb[ɔ/u]r | *nⁱɛ | *nawa | *ɔkʷɔ[nɔ] | |
| Asmat-Kamoro | Proto-Asmat-Kamrau | | *ɟawoɟa | *uwase | *n[a]- | *ɟawa[kV] | *kaboma |
| Ok-Oksapmin | Proto-Ok-Oksapmin | | | *win | | | |
| Greater Awyu | Proto-Awyu-Dumut | | *ran; *rɑn | *füp; *pip | *ɑde; *en; *ɛn- | | *rumo; *rumon |
| Kayagaric | Proto-Gondu River | *jo[k] | *enop | *na[k] | *xapti | *pa[x/ɣ]amo[x/k] | *tousiki |
| Kolopom | Proto-Kolopom | *ndz[ia]p | *jowa[k] | *n[e/a][k/ŋg] | | | *[j]enapa; *sVp |
| Anim | Proto-Fly River | *anem | *anum | | | *ija (?) | *meas[i] |
| Anim | Proto-Inland Gulf | *aneme | *anumu | *jiga | | *jaigio | *measi |
| Anim | Proto-Lower Fly River | *anem(ə) | *anum(ə) | *gag | *tamu | *ɣoɾ[e]a[u][k] | *mis |
| Anim | Proto-Marind | *anem | *anum | *igij | *ɣawi[ɣ] | *ijako[d]; *ijakod | *inah |
| Marori | Morori | yexri | | nex | kef | sekodu | yenadu |
| Gogodala-Suki | Gogodala | dala; dalagi | ato; susɛgi | gagi | na | | |
| Kiwaian | Proto-Kiwai | *dubu | *oɾobo; *upi | *paini, *paina | *oɾuso (sg.), *iɾiso (pl.) | *nak[o/u] | *netoa |
| Paniai Lakes | Ekari (Paniai Lake dialect) | jame | | eka | nai | ena; kate | wijá |
| Dani | Dani, Lower Grand Valley (Tangma dialect) | ap | he; hʋmɩ | ettake | | oppakke-at | p:ie |
| Somahai | Momuna | mogo-mearu | | | nowa- | | |
| Mek | Proto-Mek | | *ge̝l | *si | *de̝-(b) | *[na]tɔn | *b[e̝/ɛ]te̝ne̝ |
| Awin-Pa | Proto-Kamula-Elevala | *k[ɔ/o̝]b[a/ɔ] | | *pi | *de̝- | *tV[n/d]o̝ | |
| East Strickland | Gobasi | os | uliʌ | hũni | nɔwalaga | hele | bihinɔ̃n |
| Duna-Bogaya | Duna | anoa; anɔa | ima | yaka | nai-; neyana | du | yapa |
| Duna-Bogaya | Bogaya | ami; ʌmĩ | ĩmiʌ; imya | ʌmĩn; yaga | nã; nosii | mɔsʌ kɔmʌ; moso | efʌn; yeefa |
| Bosavi | Kaluli | kalu | ga; kesali; kesari | wi | maya | ãgel; angel | a̧dep; ãdip |
| Kutubu | Proto-Lake Kutubu | | | | *ne- | *hʲaga | |
| Enga-Kewa-Huli | Enga (Sari dialect) | akali | eŋda | keŋge | neŋge | mendai | lapoma |
| Wiru | Wiru | ali | atoa; atòa | ibini; ibíni | nakò; one ne nako | odene | takuta; ta kutà |
| Chimbu-Wahgi | Kuman | yagl; yakɬ̥ | ambu | kaŋgin; kangi-ne | neuŋgua | suařa | suo |
| Madang | Proto-Madang | | *na-gali(k) | *ibi; *wañim | *(n,ñ)a | *kati(ŋ,g)a | *arigita |
| Finisterre | Mungkip | mɛ | tam | buŋām; wow | nʌna | kubugaŋ | lifɛt |
| Huon | Selepet | lok | apet; ibi | kut; kut- | ne; ni- | konok | yâhâp |
| Kainantu-Goroka | Proto-Eastern Kainantu-Goroka | *kwe-(t)-V | | *-wi-Q | | *boda | |
| Kainantu-Goroka | Proto-Eastern Kainantu | *wɐⁱ-iNti | *ɐnɑːjeː | *utu | *nɐ- | *moːʔjɑː | *tɑːɾɐ |
| Kainantu-Goroka | Proto-Northern Kainantu | *wɑːⁱNsɐ | *ɐnɑːsi | *wiʔ | | *mɐnɑː | *tɑːN |
| Angan | Simbari | kwala | aampala | yavata | an̲aantapyɨ | pɨrɨ'mɨna | pɨvɨraalna |
| Turama-Kikori | Proto-Rumu-Omati | | | | *e̝ne̝ne̝n | | *t[aⁱ/aᵋ] |
| Goilalan | Fuyug | A'a; an | Amu; amuri | ifa | huni nene | fida | ʒuvalo |
| Goilalan | Tauade | baře | iva | ape'te | ɔmei nai | kɔne | kupal'iai |
| Greater Binanderean | Proto-Binandere | *embә | *bam{u,o}nә | *jajo; *jawә | *ind-; *mind- | *daba | |
| Koiarian | Proto-Koiarian | | *maɣina | *ifí | *i- | *(i,o)gau | |
| Kwalean | Proto-Kwalean (Ross) | *vaʒe | *no'ɣone | *ni | *anE- | *teba | *aheu |
| Kwalean | Proto-Humene-Uare (Usher) | *wajɛ | *nɔgɔnɛ | *ni | *an- | *te̝bɔ | *ahɛu |
| Manubaran | Proto-Manubaran (Ross) | *amie | | *roka | *iri- | *yokohi | *(ye)(ka)ma[nu] |
| Manubaran | Proto-Mount Brown (Usher) | *ami[j]e | *ɾema | *ɾoka | *iɾi- | *jokohi | *[ɾ/j]ema |
| Yareban | Proto-Musa River | *e[ʔe]me | *aweta | *ibi | *it- | *demu | |
| Mailuan | Mailu (Ilai dialect) | egi | avesa | omu | isiisi | ʔomu | ʔava |
| Dagan | Daga | apan | oaen | yaoa | naiwan | daiton | dɛrɛ |
For other lexical comparison tables of Papuan languages, see also:
* West Papuan languages#Lexical comparison
* West Bomberai languages#Lexical comparison
* West Papuan Highlands languages#Lexical comparison
* Northwest Papuan languages#Lexical comparison
* Trans-Fly–Bulaka River languages#Lexical comparison
* Papuan Gulf languages#Lexical comparison
* Torricelli languages#Lexical comparison
* Sepik–Ramu languages#Lexical comparison
* East Papuan languages#Lexical comparison