Page:An introduction to Indonesian linguistics, being four essays.djvu/307

Rh 182. Initial hamzah is replaced in certain languages by other sounds : ỿ, y, w.

I. In Muna we find ỿ, as in ỿate, "heart" < Original IN atay, or more precisely: qatay.

II. In Buli we get y, as in yataf, "roof" < Original IN atĕp, or more precisely: qatĕp.

III. In Bulanga-Uki we meet with w, as in wina, "mother" < Original IN ina, or more precisely: qina.

183. The occurrence of these sounds, ỿ, y, and w, instead of q, is explained by the phenomena of sandhi. In Malay the word ĕmpat, "four", when it stands alone or at the beginning of a sentence, is pronounced qĕmpat. In the phrase "four pieces of sugar-cane" = s. f. p. = tĕbu wĕmpat buku, the initial q is replaced by w", under the influence of the preceding u (Fokker). Now in Bulanga forms such as wina this w has simply become permanently affixed, and the y of Buh and ỿ of Muna are the result of similar processes.

184. Medial enunciation. In some IN languages the most various vowels may succeed one another. The sequence of vowel + pĕpĕt or pĕpĕt + vowel is rare; it is found in a few instances in Madurese, as in taĕn, "rope". In some languages intermediary or separating sounds arise between two vowels. And here two cases in particular are to be observed:

I. Between u + vowel or i + vowel the appropriate semi-vowel steps in. Some of the IN languages say buah, "fruit", others buwah; some say ia, "he", others iya.

II. In some languages q or h appears between vowels, especially when they are similar, as in Malay leher, Madurese leqer, "neck".

185. Final enunciation of a word ending in a vowel may, like initial, be soft, aspirated, or hard (with a hamzah). In Madurese every word ending originally with a vowel receives a final h, Mad. matah, "eye" < Original IN mata. — In