phonology: dissimilatory changes of [a] to [e]; final vowel changes to [e]; in word-initial position [y] is automatically inserted if a word begins with an unrounded vowel, except for [i]; and [w] is inserted if a word begins with a rounded vowel, except for [iu] and [u].
Typological Information
Western Micronesian language (Trukic language); Rightwards derivational reduplication seems to be a feature of all nuclear Micronesian languages (Harrison 1973: 438).
Reduplication Form-Function
leftwards CVC- and C-reduplication (intransitive, progressive); rightwards -CVC and -C reduplication (intransitive, derivation); full (derivation)
Relationship Form-Function
various forms - various functions
Reduplication System
• Woleaian has four different reduplication rules for intransitive marking of verbs. • In the Trukic languages, initial gemination is a frequent exponent of the derivational reduplication function (Harrison 1973: 444).
Diachrony
No information available.
Productivity
Reduplicated verbs are often used for li- derivations (denoting the actor of the action); e.g. li- + gaa "always", tang-i~teng "to cry" --> li-gaa-tang-i~teng "one who cries often".
Terminology