Engan pronouns and their old endings*

Abstract

The Engan Family of languages includes a number of languages and dialects that are part of the Trans New Guinea Phylum (TNGP) languages, a subgroup of the large and tentative group referred to as ‘Papuan’ languages. Such languages generally have a system of free pronominal forms which occur in cross‐reference with fused verb suffixes. I examine the free forms in particular and draw attention to the reflexes and retentions of old endings in present day pronouns. I then attempt to reconstruct the basic forms and their endings for Proto‐Engan. Because the evidence for sets of old endings goes beyond their use in Engan, I examine a number of languages which are located adjacent to the family as well. Finally, I briefly give evidence that there are other endings reflected in Papuan languages that are found on word classes other than pronouns.