Pelkey (2011:367) lists the following as Central Ngwi innovations. • Proto-Ngwi tone categories 1 and 2: tone splitting that is widespread • Proto-Ngwi tone category 2 splits to *glottal-prefixed initials (higher-pitched reflexes) and *non-glottal-prefixed initials (lower-pitched reflexes; with a subsequent flip-flop in Lahu) • Proto-Ngwi tone category L prefixed stop initials > high/rising pitch reflexes • Family group classifiers paradigmatized with disyllabic forms, vowel leveling, and other systemic changes • Burmic extensive paradigm is moderately grammaticalized; more than Southern Ngwi, but fewer than Northern Ngwi •
Lexical innovations for 'dog' and 'fire' == References ==