Pohnpeic languages
# Pohnpeic languages

Pohnpeic, also rendered Ponapeic, is a subgroup of the Chuukic–Pohnpeic branch of Micronesian in the Austronesian language family. The languages are primarily spoken in Pohnpei State of the Federated States of Micronesia.

## Languages

* Mokilese
* Pingelapese
* Pohnpeian
* Ngatikese

## 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. An example of this change is seen where Proto-Chuukic-Pohnpeic */kkaŋ/ 'sharp' became Mokilese /iŋkɔŋ/, whereas in Chuukese it is /kken/.

## Phonology

Proto-Pohnpeic reflexes of Proto-Oceanic consonants :

| 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 | $*∅,r^3$ | *m | *mʷ | *n | *ɲ | *ŋ | *w | *y | *r | *l |
| Proto-Pohnpeic | *p, $∅^2$ | $*j,∅^1{_i,u,e^4}$ | *k | *j | *t̻ | *t̻ | *∅ | $*p^1$ | *pʷ | *c | $*∅,r^3$ | *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

Reconstructed Proto-Pohnpeic 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 |
