Telefol is a language spoken by the Telefol people in Papua New Guinea, notable for possessing a base-27 numeral system.

History

The Iligimin people also spoke Telefol, but they were defeated by the Telefol proper.

Orthography

Single ⟨e⟩ and ⟨o⟩ represent both their single and long vowels, since they rarely contrast. is written ⟨p⟩ pre-consonantally and word-finally. Single is written ⟨g⟩ intervocalically, and is written ⟨k⟩ intervocalically. and are written ⟨kg⟩ and ⟨ngg⟩ (since they're pronounced and respectively). Initial is also written with ⟨g⟩ in loan words, e.g., Got 'God'.

Phonology

Consonants

and only appear in a few particles and some exclamations. and only appear in a few loans.

Vowels

There are two contrastive phonemic tones in Telefol, high and low. For example, ùlín 'club' vs. úlìn 'planted'. and, and , are nearly in complementary distribution. Also, single and don't occur in one-syllable words or in terminal syllables. Vowel length only contrasts in initial syllables. However, in initial syllables single and, and and , don't contrast.

Phonotactics

Syllable structure is (C)V(ː)(C). does not occur word-initially. is allowed in medial, but not word-initial, onsets.

Grammar

Telefol is a subject–object–verb language.

Verbal aspect

Telefol has a rich aspectual system. Telefol verbs have "punctiliar" (momentary/completed) and "continuative" stems.

Counting system

Telefol uses a base-27 counting system. This is mapped onto the body by counting each of the following: the left pinky to the left thumb (1-5); the wrist, lower arm, elbow, upper arm, and shoulder (6-10); the side of the neck, ear, and left eye (11-13); the nose (14); and similarly on the right side in reverse order, from the right eye to the right pinky (15-27).

Kinship

Telefol has dyadic kinship terms (terms referring to the relationship two or more people have to each other), which are uncommon in the world's languages and not prevalent in Papua New Guinea. However, they are a salient feature of the Ok languages. Related terms are found in Oksapmin, Mian, and Tifal.

Evolution

Below are some reflexes of proto-Trans-New Guinea proposed by Pawley (2012):