Chimbu–Wahgi languages

The Chimbu–Wahgi languages are a language family of New Guinea. They are sometimes included in the Trans–New Guinea proposal; Usher links them with the Engan languages in a Central New Guinea Highlands family.

Languages
There is little doubt that the Chimbu–Wahgi family is valid. The languages are:


 * Chimbu–Wahgi family
 * Chimbu (Simbu) branch
 * Kuman (Chimbu)
 * Chuave
 * Nomane
 * Golin–Dom
 * Salt-Yui
 * Sinasina
 * Western Highlands
 * Jimi River
 * Maring
 * Narak–Kandawo
 * Wahgi Valley
 * Nii
 * Wahgi
 * North Wahgi (= Yu We?)
 * Mount Hagen
 * Melpa (Medlpa)
 * Kaugel River
 * Imbo Ungu
 * Umbu-Ungu
 * Mbo-Ung (Bo-Ung)

Phonology
Several of the Chimbu–Wahgi languages have uncommon lateral consonants: see Nii, Wahgi, and Kuman for examples.

Chimbu–Wahgi languages have contrastive tone.

Pronouns
The singular pronouns are:



! !!sg !1 !2 !3
 * ná
 * nim
 * [y]é
 * }

Dual *-l and plural *-n reflect Trans–New Guinea forms.

Evolution
Middle Wahgi reflexes of proto-Trans-New Guinea (pTNG) etyma:


 * ama ‘mother’ < *am(a,i)
 * amu ‘breast’ < *amu
 * numan ‘louse’ < *niman
 * numan ‘thought, mind, will’ < *n(o,u)
 * man, muŋ ‘fruit, nut, lump’
 * muŋgum ‘kidney’ < *maŋgV ‘round object’
 * mundmuŋ ‘heart’ < *mundun-maŋgV
 * mokum, mokem ‘knuckle, joint’ < *mo(k,ŋg)Vm ‘joint’
 * mundun mo- ‘be pot bellied’ < *mundun ‘internal organs, belly’
 * ŋaŋ ‘small male child’ < *ŋaŋ[a] ‘baby’
 * apa- ‘maternal uncle’ < *apa ‘father’
 * embe(m) ‘name’ < *imbi ‘name’
 * muk ‘blue’ < *muk
 * tuk- ‘chop’ < *tVk- ‘cut, cut off’
 * no- ‘eat’ < *na-
 * mek si- ‘to vomit’
 * mek ‘vomitus’ < *makV[C] + t(e,i)- ‘to vomit’