_ _    _ _____  ___   __                       
 __      _(_) | _(_)___ / ( _ ) / /_   ___ ___  _ __ ___  
 \ \ /\ / / | |/ / | |_ \ / _ \| '_ \ / __/ _ \| '_ ` _ \ 
  \ V  V /| |   <| |___) | (_) | (_) | (_| (_) | | | | | |
   \_/\_/ |_|_|\_\_|____/ \___/ \___(_)___\___/|_| |_| |_|

Kovai language

In today's world, Kovai language has become a topic of great relevance and interest to a large number of people. Whether due to its impact on society, its historical relevance, its influence in the scientific field or its importance in the cultural field, Kovai language is a topic that deserves special attention. Over the years, numerous studies and research have been conducted that have shed light on various aspects related to Kovai language, allowing for a greater understanding and appreciation of its importance. In this article, we will explore in detail all aspects related to Kovai language, with the aim of offering a comprehensive and complete vision of this very relevant topic.
Kovai
Native toPapua New Guinea
RegionUmboi Island, Morobe Province
Native speakers
6,000 (2011)
Language codes
ISO 639-3kqb
Glottologkova1243

Kovai (Kobai, Kowai) is a Papuan language spoken on Umboi Island, halfway between mainland Papua New Guinea and the island of New Britain, and mostly within the caldera of that volcanic island.

Phonology

Vowels

Front Central Back
Close i u
Mid e o
Open a
  • Vowels may be heard as lax when in closed syllables.

Consonants

Labial Alveolar Palatal Velar
Plosive voiceless p t k
voiced b ɡ
Nasal m n ŋ
Fricative voiceless s
voiced z
Trill r
Approximant w l j
  • In word-final position /b ɡ/ can be heard as devoiced , and may also be realized as fricatives in intervocalic positions.

References

  1. ^ Kovai at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ^ Bugenhagen, Robert D. (1994). Language change on Umboi island. Tom Dutton and Darrell T. Tryon (eds.), Language contact and change in the Austronesian world: Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. p. 46.
  3. ^ Brown, Alan (1992). Kovai (Umboi) organized phonology data. SIL.

External links

For a list of words relating to Kovai language, see the Kovai language category of words in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.


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