Page:An introduction to Indonesian linguistics, being four essays.djvu/260



SECTION II : ENUMERATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE INDONESIAN SOUNDS.

The Original Indonesian Phonetic System.

39. Original Indonesian must be credited with the following phonetic system :

Vowels a i u e o ĕ

Semi-vowels y w

Liquids r1 r2 l

Laryngal q

Velars k g ṅ

Palatals c j ñ

Dentals t d n

Labials p b m

Sibilant s

Aspirate h

40. Observations on this table of sounds : I. The two vowels e and o in the hving IN languages are mostly of secondary origin. In a former monograph I was able to prove their existence as Original IN sounds only in two words, viz., bela," companion, avenger, to share the same fate", and sor, "below". II. The liquid r1 is a lingual r, while r2 is a uvular r. III. The laryngal q, also called hamzah, is almost always secondary in the living IN languages. Only in a single case (see § 181) can it with some probability be ascribed to Original IN. IV. The palatals are regarded by some scholars as not being original; in their opinion they have been evolved from

Rh