The Types of Phonological Changes from Proto-Austronesian to the Kolo Language Spoken in Bima Regency

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the existence of genealogical relatedness between Kolo language and Proto-Austronesia, to describe the forms of phonological inheritance from Proto-Austronesia into Kolo language spoken in Bima regency, and to identify the most dominant types of phonological changes found in Kolo reflexes of Proto-Austronesia etymon. The research instruments consisted of analytical tables, audio-recorded interviews, and supporting documents. The obtained data were collected through interviews and audio recordings following four procedures, such as eliciting basic vocabulary, recording pronunciations, verifying lexical meanings and phonetic accuracy, and transcribing data into analytical tables. The data were analyzed using a combination of lexicostatistical and historical-comparative approaches. The findings confirmed that Kolo language has a genealogical relationship with Proto-Austronesian, reflected through both full retentions and inherited forms that have undergone systematic phonological changes. Retention involving a single phonological change was found to be the most dominant pattern, such as assimilation, lenition, fortition, deletion, insertion, diphtongization, monophtongization, dissimilation, metathesis, rhotacism, nasaliation. These results indicate that Kolo preserves traces of its Austronesian origin while also displaying significant phonological innovation.