Proto-micronesian Prosody
Rehg, Kenneth L (1993). "Proto-micronesian Prosody". Oceanic Linguistics Special Publications (24): 25–46. doi:10.2307/20006746. ISSN 0029-8115.
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Abstract: Investigates the prosodic features of Micronesian languages, focusing on aspects such as stress and pitch. The study primarily relies on both published and unpublished data to provide a comprehensive understanding of these phonological elements across various Micronesian language subgroups as identified by Jackson (1983). The paper notes that information on these features is limited and varies in reliability, and it emphasizes the representation of all probably proposed subgroups.
The document also discusses vowel lenition, a phonological process influencing MIC (Micronesian) languages, that leads to patterns of stress and pitch unique to this subgroup in contrast to other Oceanic languages. The concept of ‘unmarked terminal prosodic contour’, specifically describing the final phonological phrase in simple declarative sentences, is introduced. This focuses on the mora, the assumed prosody-bearing unit.
In its analysis, the paper covers specific subgroups, notably the Ponapeic subgroup, due to the familiarity of the author with its prosodic system. It also touches upon the Trukic languages, acknowledging the diversity within this subgroup and the limited data available.
The process of reconstructing stress and pitch patterns in Proto-micronesian (PMC) considers several factors including final vowel lenition and phrase-initial vowel lengthening, further advancing into stress typically on the penultimate mora and high pitch on the antepenultimate mora. The coherent interaction of these reconstructed phonological rules supports their validity and suggests a plausible historic phonological system in PMC.
