Rao language

Rao
Rao Breri
Native toPapua New Guinea
Regionwestern Madang Province
Native speakers
(6,000 cited 1992)
Ramu
Dialects
  • Li’o
  • Ndramini’o
Language codes
ISO 639-3rao
Glottolograoo1244
ELPRao

Rao is a Ramu language of western Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. In older literature it was called Annaberg.

Phonology

Consonants
Labial Alveolar Palatal Velar Glottal
Plosive p b t d tʃ dʒ k g ʔ
Prenasalized ᵐb ⁿd ᵑg
Fricative f v s z (h)
Nasal m n ŋ
Approximant w r j
Vowels
Front Central Back
High i ɨ u
Mid e ə o
Low a

Additionally, the following diphthongs have been observed: /ia/, /ai/, /ea/.

Stress falls on the first syllable with a /ʔ/ in coda position. Otherwise, stress is fixed on the first syllable.

References

  1. ↑ Rao at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. 1 2 3 Stanhope, John M. (2004). Rao Organised Phonology Data. SIL International.