Reconstructions

Note

Most Oceanic forms cited here outside the Admiralties are from Pawley (2011:186-187), who notes that Mussau lailai, Kove lalai, Balinese lailai ‘pearlshell’ may be borrowings of Tok Pisin lalai, itself from Tolai lalai ‘Trochus spp.; armlet made from trochus shells’, with unexplained final –i. Trochus shell armbands were traditionally of widespread importance in Melanesia, and hence presumably in Proto-Oceanic society, but it is unclear whether this was also true of PMP speakers.