HOW TO RECONSTRUCT PROTO-MELANAU *BUYAɁ ‘BECAUSE’

Comparative Reconstruction

First step: reconstruct slots

# GLOSS BelawiMatu-Daro Dalat Kanowit

Proto-Melanau

1because buyaʔ buyaʔ buyaʔ buyaʔ *_ _ _ _ _

Next steps: reconstruct allophones

# GLOSS BelawiMatu-Daro Dalat Kanowit

Proto-Melanau

1because buyaʔ buyaʔ buyaʔ buyaʔ *_ _ _ _ _

In the 334 word list, how much support can be adduced for:

1. word-initial PM *b-2. penultimate *u3. intervocalic *-y-4. ultimate *a before a final consonant5. word-final *Ɂ

Principle

Reconstruction proceeds by the method of amassing evidence for every allophone posited for the proto-language.

A vocabulary item is reconstructed “whole” only when every allophone is supported by evidence.

RECONSTRUCTION OF RECURRING PARTIALS

In other cases, an item may be only partially reconstructed, as in the case of suspected ablaut.

(See Melanau_Morphology.ppt for copious examples.)

# GLOSS BELAWI MATU-DARO

DALAT KANOWIT

238 clear-cuttubas~ tibas

tubəs~tibəs n.c. n.c.

239 fell (tree) təbaŋtəbaŋ~tibaŋ təbaŋ təbaŋ

240 chop,hack n.c.

tutək~titək tutək tətək

# PROTO MELANAU

BELAWI MATU-DARO

DALAT KANOWIT

238 *t__bəstubas~ tibas

tubəs~tibəs n.c. n.c.

239 *t__baŋ təbaŋtəbaŋ~tibaŋ təbaŋ təbaŋ

240 *t__tək n.c.tutək~titək tutək tətək

One more thing to watch out for ...

Discussion question

# GLOSSBelawi

Matu-Daro Dalat Kanowit

Proto-Melanau

1 because buyaʔ buyaʔ buyaʔ buyaʔ *buyaʔ

335

television

telefisi

telefisi televisi televisin *televisin

336

Hello! helo helo helo helo *helo

What’s wrong with this picture?

Questions ??