Rumu language

Last updated
Rumu
Kairi
Region Papua New Guinea
Native speakers
(700 cited 1990) [1]
Papuan Gulf  ?
Language codes
ISO 639-3 klq
Glottolog rumu1243

Rumu (Rumuwa), or Kairi (Kai-Iri), is a Papuan language of Papua New Guinea. Other names for it are Dumu (Tumu) and Kibiri.

Phonology

Consonants [2]
Labial Alveolar Dorsal
Plosive p t k
Fricative ( s ) h
Nasal m n
Approximant w r j
Vowels [2]
Front Central Back
High i u
Mid-high e ë o ö
Mid-low ɛ ɔ
Low a
Diphthongs [2]
-i-e-a-u
i-ia
e-(ei)ea
ɛ-ɛiɛaɛu
a-aiaeau
o-(oi)oeoa
ɔ-ɔiɔɛɔaɔu
u-[ui]

Additionally, Rumu is tonal, distinguishing four tones: falling à, rising á, peaking â, and level ā. [2]

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References

  1. John Newman and Robert G. Petterson, 1990, “The Tones of Kairi'”, Oceanic Linguistics , 29:1, p. 75 n. 2.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Petterson, Robert (1992). Rumu Organised Phonology Data. SIL International.