Reconstructing Polynesian
- 2. Comparative reconstruction Method of determining a possible mother language of two or more related languages Cognates – words in sister languages which have similar forms and meanings – relationship across tree Reflexes - words in the daughter languages that have descended from words in the mother language – relationship up and down tree Proto language the mother of a language group No existing evidence for proto languages only linguists’ hypotheses so we mark forms in proto languages with a * to show that this is a reconstructed form: *tapu PPN for ‘forbidden, sacred’
- 3. Proto Polynesian Consonants *p *t *k *? *m *n * ŋ *f *s *h *l *r *w All the Polynesian triangle languages have developed their consonant systems from this set. No triangle language has more consonants than this, usually less.
- 4. Phonology and phonotactics of Poly L In the triangle … Look at the data set for the 4 langs No CC consonant clusters No closed syllables = all words end in vowels. There are no voiced stops only voiceless Only labial, alveolar, velar and glottal places
- 5. Comparing cognates to predict forms in proto language. 4 languages Tongan, Samoan, Hawaiian and Rarotongan Begin with /t/ in the Tongan forms compare with other langs 3. blow 2. navel 1. forbidden puhi pu?i feula puhi piko pito pute pito kapu tapu tapu tapu Ha Ra Sa Tg
- 6. Correspondences in item 1 and 2 Can you find other items with either of these correspondences? 1,2 1,2 Data no *p p p p p *t k t t t Proto form Ha Ra Sa Tg
- 7. K and glottal stop in Tongan Ø means there is no corresponding consonant in this position 13 uhi u?i ufi ? ufi 9 ?alo karo ?alo k alo No, Ha Ra Sa Tg 13 9 No. *? Ø Ø Ø ? *k ? k ? k Proto form Ha Ra Sa Tg