Somahai language
Trans–New Guinea language spoken in Indonesia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Momuna (Momina), also known as Somahai (Somage, Sumohai), is a Papuan language spoken in Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua and Asmat Regency, South Papua, Indonesia.
South Papua: western Asmat Regency
| Momuna | |
|---|---|
| Somahai | |
| Native to | Indonesia |
| Region | Highland Papua: Yahukimo Regency South Papua: western Asmat Regency |
Native speakers | (2,200 cited 1998–2000)[1] |
| Dialects |
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | Either:mqf – Momunammb – Momina |
| Glottolog | soma1242 |
Varieties
Reimer notes two dialects, one on the Balim River and one on the Rekai. One of the differences is that when /u/ follows an /u/ or /o/ in the Balim dialect, it is /i/ in the Rekai dialect. Thus the ethnonym 'Momuna' is pronounced 'Momina' in Rekai dialect.[3]
Classification
The Somahai pronouns, singular *na, *ka, *mo, are typical of Trans–New Guinea languages. They were placed in the Central and South New Guinea branch of that family by Wurm. Ross could not locate enough evidence to classify them. Usher found them to be closest to the Mek languages, in the Central West New Guinea, which partially overlaps with Wurm's C&SNG.
Phonology
Vocabulary
The following basic vocabulary words of Momuna are from Voorhoeve (1975),[5] as cited in the Trans-New Guinea database:[6][7]
gloss Momuna head toko hair toko-ate eye otu tooth ija leg i jo-ku louse amega dog kwoka pig uwo egg magisaga blood janɨ bone toko skin ke tree kwo man mogo-mearu sun ɨkɨ water iŋga fire kukwa stone kɨ eat nowa-