Inland Gulf languages

The Inland Gulf languages are a family of Trans–New Guinea languages in the classifications of Stephen Wurm and Malcolm Ross. The unity of the languages was established by K. Franklin in 1969. Although the family as a whole is clearly valid, Ipiko is quite distinct from the other languages.

Languages

Inland Gulf family

* Ipiko language
* Minanibai branch: Minanibai, Mubami, Ukusi-Koparamio Hoia Hoia – Matakaia Hoia Hoia

Karami was once included, due to a large number of loanwords from Minanibai, but is best left unclassified for now.
Mahigi is also included by Pawley and Hammarström.

Phonemes

Usher reconstructs the consonant inventory as follows:
Vowels are *a *e *i *o *u.

Pronouns

The pronouns are:

Evolution

Inland Gulf reflexes of proto-Trans-New Guinea etyma:

Hoia Hoia, Mubami, Ipiko de ‘tree’ < *inda
Hoia Hoia mo’noto, Ipiko manoto ‘mouth’ < *maŋgat ‘mouth, teeth’
Mubami mo’moʔo, Hoiahoia mo’mo:ko ‘seed’ < *maŋgV