Proto-Quechuan language

Proto-Quechuan language is the hypothetical mother tongue or proto-language that would have given rise to the various languages of the Quechuan language family. This proto-language is reconstructed based on evidence from modern Quechuan languages, as well as records of ancient forms.

Development

Proto-Quechuan was likely spoken in the central region of ancient Peru according to Alfredo Torero. It then expanded southwards to replace Aymara. At the beginning of the fifth century, the proto-Quechua would have crossed the mountain range to settle in the central highlands, then proto-Aymara-speaking, producing the division between Quechua I and Quechua II.

Phonology

The syllables of the Quechua languages are composed of at least one vowel as nucleus. As a general rule, the syllables allow a consonant in position of onset and coda.
Three vowel phonemes are distinguished: a vowel open and closed rounded vowel unrounded . The precise pronunciation of these vowel phonemes varies with their phonetic environment. The vicinity of a uvular consonant produces more centralized allophones such as , , , , and that of the semiconsonant palatal approximant also causes an overtaking of to . As for the consonants, Proto-Quechua would have had three nasal consonant four occlusive , two affricates , three fricatives , two approximants and two or three liquid .

Bilabial

Alveolar

Post-alveolar

Retroflex

Palatal

Velar

Uvular

Glottal

Nasal

bilabial nasal|

alveolar nasal|

palatal nasal|