Proto-Malayo-Polynesian language

Proto-Malayo-Polynesian (PMP) is the reconstructed ancestor of the Malayo-Polynesian languages, which is by far the largest branch (by current speakers) of the Austronesian language family. Proto-Malayo-Polynesian is ancestral to all Austronesian languages spoken outside Taiwan, as well as the Yami language on Taiwan's Orchid Island. The first systematic reconstruction of Proto-Austronesian ("Uraustronesisch") by Otto Dempwolff was based on evidence from languages outside of Taiwan, and was therefore actually the first reconstruction of what is now known as Proto-Malayo-Polynesian.[1]

Proto-Malayo-Polynesian
PMP
Reconstruction ofMalayo-Polynesian
RegionLuzon Strait?
Reconstructed
ancestor
Lower-order reconstructions

Phonology

Consonants

The following consonants can be reconstructed for Proto-Malayo-Polynesian (Blust 2009):[2]

Labial Alveolar Palatal Retroflex Palatalized
velar
Velar Uvular Glottal
Voiceless obstruent *p *t *c /c͡ç/ *k *q
Voiced obstruent *b *d *z /ɟ͡ʝ/ *D /ɖ/ *j /ɡʲ/ *g
Nasal *m *n *ñ /ɲ/
Fricative *s *h
Lateral *l
Tap or trill *r *R /ʀ/
Approximant *w *y /j/

The phonetic value of the reconstructed sounds *p, *b, *w, *m, *t, *d, *n, *s, *l, *r, *k, *g, *ŋ, *q, *h was as indicated by the spelling. The symbols *ñ, *y, *z, *D, *j, *R are orthographic conventions first introduced by Dyen (1947).[3] The assumed phonetic values are given in the table.

This consonant system is quite similar to the ancestral Proto-Austronesian (PAN) system, but is characterized by three mergers:

  • PAN *t/*C > PMP *t
  • PAN *l/*N > PMP *l
  • PAN *h/*S > PMP *h

Vowels

The Proto-Austronesian vowels *a, *i, *u, *e (/ə/) and final diphthongs *ay, *aw, *uy, *iw remained unchanged.[2]

Alternative views

In a recent study, Roger Blench (2016)[4] has raised doubts that there was actually a single unitary Proto-Malayo-Polynesian language. Rather, Malayo-Polynesian expansion across the Luzon Strait consisted of multi-ethnic crews rapidly settling across various locations in maritime Southeast Asia, as suggested by both archaeological and linguistic evidence. There was also a Malayo-Polynesian migration to Hainan; Blench (2016) notes that both Hlai and Austronesian peoples use the foot-braced backstrap loom as well.

Lexicon

Below are selected animal and plant names in Proto-Malayo-Polynesian from the Austronesian Comparative Dictionary.[5]

Animal names

Fish names
No.Reconstruction levelsCommon nameScientific nameProto-Malayo-Polynesian
710PMPa doveDucula spp.?*baluj
2201PMPa fishScomberoides sp.*daRi
9215PMPa fish, the fusilierCaesionidae sp.*sulig
8519PMPa fish, the sea perch, giant rockcod, giant grouperEpinephelus spp.*kuRapu
4366PMPa fish: the big-eyed scadTrachiurops crumenophthalmus*qatulay
251PMPa fruit-bearing plantPisonia umbellifera*añuliŋ
1532PMPa white fish, the tarponMegalops cyprinoides*bulan-bulan₁
1636PMPbatfishPlatax spp.*buna
1635PMPbatfishPlatax spp.*bunaR
4379PMPfish sp.: mullet sp.Neomyxus chaptalli*qawas
4380PMPfish sp.: the milkfishChanos chanos*qawa₁
4378PMPfish sp.: the milkfishChanos chanos*qawan
2095PMPgoatfishMullidae*tiqaw₂
9513PMPgreen jobfishAprion virescens*qutun
3187PMPkind of striped or spotted marine fish, grouperEpinephelus spp.*keRteŋ
9509PMPneedlefishIstiophorus spp.*saku₂
5519PMPporcupine fish, puffer fishDiodon sp.*taRutuŋ
9141PMPSpanish mackerel, kingfishScomberomorini spp.*taŋiRi
5516PMPsquirrelfishHolocentrus spp.*taRaqan
3168PMPsuckerfish, remora; hold on by bitingEcheneis naucrates*kemi
2492PMPsuckerfish, remora; hold on by bitingEcheneis naucrates*gemi
11354PMPsurgeonfishAcanthurus spp.*qapaliR
11354PMPsurgeonfishAcanthurus spp.*qapaliR
10662PMPunicorn fishAcanthurus unicornis*taRaq₂
4703PMPunicorn fishNaso spp.*qumi
4699PMPunicorn fishNaso spp.*qumay
Other animal names
No.Reconstruction levelsCommon nameScientific nameProto-Malayo-Polynesian
7001PMPthe green turtleChelonia mydas*peñu
9539PMPkingfisherHalcyon spp.*sikek
6845PAN, PMP, PWMPthe Formosan rock monkeyMacaca cyclopis*luCuŋ
3809PMPfruit bat, flying foxPteropus spp.*paniki
9052PMPcivet cat and similar small predatory mammals of the family ViverridaeViverridae*musaŋ
7811PMPgiant clamTridacna gigas*kima
4842PMPthe spider conchLambis lambis*Raŋa
8637PMPthe spider conchLambis lambis*Raŋak
8638PMPthe spider conchLambis lambis*RaŋaR
4390PMPcoconut crabBirgus latro*qayuyu
4224PMPa small beeApis indica*qani-Ruan
4283PMPa small beeApis indica*qari-ñuan
6861PAN, PMP, PWMP, PCEMP, PCMPjungle leechHaemadipsa spp.*-matek
6864PMPjungle leechHaemadipsa spp.*qala-matek
1726PMPringwormTinea imbricata*buqeni
3800PMPfungus infection which produces light patches on the skinTinea flava or Pityriasis*panaw₁

Plant names

Selected plant names
No.Reconstruction levelsCommon nameScientific nameProto-Malayo-Polynesian
8724PMPa cereal grass with edible seeds that are also used as beads, Job's tearsCoix lachryma-jobi*zelay
4343PMPa climbing plantWedelia biflora*qatay qatay₁
11282PMPa cycadCycas rumphii*patuRu
3686PMPa fernLygodium spp.*nituq
7071PMPa hairy vinePueraria hirsuta*bahay
4562PMPa hardwood treeIntsia bijuga, Afzelia bijuga*qipil
484PAN, PMP, PWMP, PCEMP, PCMPa lily-like plantCrinum asiaticum*bakuŋ₁
4206PMPa palmOncosperma sp.?*qanibuŋ
8448PMPa plantLeea spp.*mali
3566PMPa plantLeea spp.*mali-mali
7082PAN, PMP, PWMPa plantPhragmites spp.*qaReNu
71PMPa plantPipturus argenteus*adamay
11885PMPa plantSolanum nigrum*hameti
4039PAN, PMP, PWMP, PCEMP, PCMPa plantUrena lobata*puluC
11265PMPa plant used to stun fishDerris elliptica*bunat
8455PAN, PMP, PWMP, PCEMP, PCMP, PEMP, POCa plant with roots that are pounded and put in rivers to stun fishDerris elliptica*tuba
590PMPa plant yielding useful fibersThespesia populnea*balu₁
1832PMPa shore treeBarringtonia spp.*butun
1275PMPa shore treeCalophyllum inophyllum*bitaquR
301PMPa shore treeCasuarina equisetifolia*aRuhu
4290PMPa shore treeCasuarina equisetifolia*qaRuhu
10441PMPa shore tree with edible nutsTerminalia catappa*talisay
5317PMPa shrubCordyline, Dracaena*siRi
717PMPa small shore treeHibiscus tiliaceus*baRu
12684PMPa small tree bearing round, green fruitEhretia spp.*kanawah
8398PMPa swamp palmNipa fruticans*nipaq
10824PMPa tall forest tree which emits an unpleasant odorSterculia foetida*bubuR₃
5189PMPa thorny treeCaesalpinia spp.*sepaŋ
612PMPa thorny vineSmilax spp.*banaR₁
620PMPa thorny vineSmilax spp.*banaw
2257PMPa treeAlstonia scholaris*ditaq
3274PMPa treeArtocarpus sp.*kulu₁
12727PMPa treeBischofia javanica*tuquR₂
2574PMPa treeCordia dichotoma*hanunaŋ
4243PAN, PMP, PWMP, PCEMP, PCMPa treeCordia dichotoma*qaNuNaŋ
3103PMPa treeCordia spp.*kanawa
10144PMPa treeCordia spp.*kendal
6886PMPa treeCynometra spp.*namut-namut
5661PMPa treeDolichandrone spathacea*tui₁
2198PMPa treeDracontomelon edule*daqu₁
2218PMPa treeErythrina spp.*dedap
4279PMPa treeFicus spp.*qaRa₁
5384PMPa treeGnetum gnemon*suka₁
4220PMPa treeGrewia spp.*qanilaw
8451PMPa treeInocarpus spp., possibly the Tahitian chestnut: Inocarpus edulis*gayam
3097PMPa treeMurraya sp.*kamuniŋ
782PMPa treeNauclea sp.*baŋkal
3884PMPa treeOchrosia oppositifolia*pauq
3649PMPa treePterocarpus indica*nara
3648PMPa treePterocarpus indica*naRah
738PMPa treePterospermum sp.*bayuR
3126PMPa treeSchleichera trijuga*kasambiʔ
3086PMPa treeSterculia foetida*kalumpaŋ
2239PMPa treeTrema orientalis*deRuŋ₂
3903PMPa treeVitex pubescens*pa(m)pa
7098PMPa tree with dense clusters of red flowers, the Indian coral treeErythrina indica*dapdap₁
9114PMPa tree with edible fruit, and medicinal usesBuchanania arborescens?*balunuR
3104PMPa tree with fragrant flowersCananga odorata*kanaŋa
12774PMPa tree, the Chinese mahogany or Philippine mahoganyShorea albus*bulah
2719PMPa vineFlagellaria indica*huaR
11109PMPan evergreen tree with decorative flowersCynometra ramiflora*namut
1046PAN, PMP, PWMP, PCEMP, PCMP, PEMP, POCbamboo of very large diameterDendrocalamus sp.?*betuŋ₁
9776PAN, PMP, PWMP, PCEMP, PCMPbamboo spp.Bambusa spinosa?*kawayan
11263PMPbetel pepperPiper betle*bu-bulu
8466PMPbracket fungusPolyporus spp.*kulat₂
1146PMPcalabash treeCrescentia spp.*bila₁
1223PAN, PMP, PWMPcane grassMiscanthus sp.*biRaSu
10249PAN, PMP, PWMPcastor beanRicinus communis*katawa
1582PMPcowrie shellCypraea mauritiana*buliq₁
4358PMPcucumberCucumis sativus*qatimun
10768PMPelephant grass, miscanthus grassThemeda gigantea*taŋelaj
1255PMPfan palmLicuala rumphii*biRu
7972PMPhardwood tree with edible fruit and valuable timberPalaquium spp.*ñatuq
7996PMPindigo plant and dyeIndigofera suffruticosa and Indigofera tinctoria*taRum
7083PMPkind of fruit treePometia pinnata*tawan
6542PMPkind of mangrove, with bark used for dyeingCeriops spp.*teŋeR
11007PMPmango tree and its fruitMangifera altissima?*pahuq₁
8750PAN, PMP, PWMPmillet sp.Setaria italica (?)*zawa₂
1033PMPmillet sp., probably foxtail milletSetaria italica*betem
812PMPmillet sp., probably foxtail milletSetaria italica*beteŋ₁
7254PAN, PMP, PWMPmulberry tree and fruitMorus formosensis*taNiud
11844PMPnew shoots of cogon grassImperata cylindrica*mimis₁
1763PMPpalm sp.Corypha elata*buri₁
3089PAN, PMP, PWMPplant sp.Diospyros discolor*kamaya
3671PMPplant sp.Donax canniformis, used as material for making baskets*niniq₁
4614PAN, PMP, PWMP, PCEMP, PCMP, PEMP, PSHWNG, POCrattanCalamus sp.*quay
7169PMPstinging nettleLaportea spp.*la-lateŋ
7167PMPstinging nettleLaportea spp.*lateŋ
7183PMPstinging nettleLaportea spp.*zalateŋ
7185PMPstinging nettleLaportea spp.*zilateŋ
4204PMPsugar palmArenga spp.*qanahaw
7953PMPsugarcaneSaccharum officinarum*tebuh₁
2055PMPsugarcaneSaccharum officinarum*tebuh₂
2399PMPsword grassImperata cylindrica*eRiq
10161PMPsword grassImperata cylindrica*guRun
12663PMPsword grassImperata cylindrica*keRiq
4900PAN, PMP, PWMPsword grassImperata cylindrica*Riaq
7486PMPtaroColocasia esculenta*tales
9775PMPthe candlenut treeAleurites moluccanus*kamiri
9775PMPthe candlenut treeAleurites moluccanus*kamiri
12248PMPthe Indian cork treeMillingtonia hortensis*taŋga₂
11262PMPthe Indian tulip treeThespesia populnea*banaRu
3066PMPthe kapok treeCeiba pentandra*kabu-kabu
3263PMPtree sp.Schoutenia ovata*kukun
5653PMPtree sp.Sesbania grandiflora*tudiq
8882PMPtree with dense clusters of red flowers, the Indian coral treeErythrina indica*depdep
9942PMPtree with edible nut, the Canarium almondCanarium commune*kanari
4260PMPtree with leaves like sandpaperFicus spp.*qa(m)pelas
3332PMPtree with poisonous sapAntiaris toxicaria?*laji₁
4722PAN, PMP, PWMP, PCEMP, PCMPtree with sticky fruitsCordia spp.*quNuNaŋ
10888PMPtree spp.Barringtonia spp.*putat
7652PMPturmericCurcuma longa*kunij
1601PAN, PMP, PWMP, PCEMP, PCMP, PEMP, PSHWNG, POCtype of slender bambooSchizostachyum spp.*buluq₂
1219PMPwild taro, elephant's ear or itching taro; sexual itchAlocasia spp.*biRaq₁
1219PMPwild taro, elephant's ear or itching taro; sexual itchAlocasia spp.*biRaq₁
4625PMPyamDioscorea alata*qubi

See also

References

  1. Dempwolff, Otto (1934-37). Vergleichende Lautlehre des austronesischen Wortschatzes. (Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für Eingeborenen-Sprachen 15;17;19). Berlin: Dietrich Reimer. (3 vols.)
  2. Blust, Robert (2009). The Austronesian languages. Pacific Linguistics, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, The Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-85883-602-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. Dyen, Isidore. (1951). Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *Z. Language, 27(4), 534-540.
  4. Blench, Roger. 2016. The boiling pot: 4000 years ago in the Luzon straits.
  5. Blust, Robert; Trussel, Stephen (April 25, 2020). "Austronesian Comparative Dictionary, web edition". Retrieved May 1, 2020.
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