Pohnpeic, also rendered Ponapeic, is a subgroup of the Chuukic–Pohnpeic branch of Micronesian in the Austronesian language family.[1] The languages are primarily spoken in Pohnpei State of the Federated States of Micronesia.
| Pohnpeic | |
|---|---|
| Ponapeic | |
| Geographic distribution | Micronesia |
| Linguistic classification | Austronesian
|
| Glottolog | pona1248 |
 Map of the Micronesian languages; Pohnpeic languages are shaded in pink, while the Chuukic languages are red. | |
Languages
Innovations
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.[3] An example of this change is seen where Proto-Chuukic-Pohnpeic */kkaŋ/ 'sharp' became Mokilese /iŋkɔŋ/, whereas in Chuukese it is /kken/.[4]
Phonology
| Proto-Oceanic | *p | *t | *k | *s, *nj | *ns, *j | *j | *mp | *mp, *ŋp | *nt, *nd | *ŋk | *m | *m, *ŋm | *n | *ɲ | *ŋ | *w | *y | *d,R | *l | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proto-Micronesian | *f | *t | *k | *T | *s | *S | *Z | *p | *pʷ | *c | *x | *m | *mʷ | *n | *ɲ | *ŋ | *w | *y | *r | *l |
| Proto-Chuukic-Pohnpeic | *f | *t | *k | *j | *t | *t | *∅ | *p | *pʷ | *c | *∅,r3 | *m | *mʷ | *n | *ɲ | *ŋ | *w | *y | *r | *l |
| Proto-Pohnpeic | *p, ∅2 | *j,∅1{_i,u,e4} | *k | *j | *t̻ | *t̻ | *∅ | *p1 | *pʷ | *c | *∅,r3 | *m | *mʷ | *n | *∅,n{high V_} | *ŋ | *w | *y | *r | *l |
1 In the Pohnpeic languages, geminate obstruents are realized as homorganic nasal-obstruent clusters.
2 Often before /i/.
3 Before /a/.
4 The reflex is *∅ sporadically before PMc *e.
Reconstructed vocabulary
| Proto-Pohnpeic | English Gloss | Modern Language Reflexes |
|---|---|---|
| *cana-k,cana-ko | be hung up, to hang up | PON tɛnɛ-k, MOK sɔnɔ |
| *palia | day after tomorrow | PON pali, MOK pali |
| *payipayi | sea urchin | PON pɛypɛy, MOK pɔypɔy |
| *wara | neck | PON wɛrɛ 'his/her neck', MOK wɔr |