Based on the author's thesis (doctoral)--University of Arizona, 2007.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Preliminary Material / Peter K. Norquest -- 1 Introduction / Peter K. Norquest -- 2 Reconstruction of Proto-Hlai Initials / Peter K. Norquest -- 3 Reconstruction of Proto-Hlai Rimes / Peter K. Norquest -- 4 Pre-Hlai / Peter K. Norquest -- 5 Jiamao / Peter K. Norquest -- 6 Conclusion / Peter K. Norquest -- References / Peter K. Norquest -- Author Index / Peter K. Norquest -- Language Index / Peter K. Norquest -- Topic Index / Peter K. Norquest.

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In A Phonological Reconstruction of Proto-Hlai , Norquest presents a reconstruction of Proto-Hlai based on data from twelve Hlai languages spoken on Hainan, China. This reconstruction includes chapters on both the Proto-Hlai initials and rimes, and original sesquisyllabic forms are shown to be necessary to account for the reflexes between the daughter languages. A comparison is made between Proto-Hlai and Proto-Tai, and a preliminary reconstruction of Proto Southern Kra-Dai (the immediate ancestor of Proto-Hlai) is performed. When this is compared with Proto-Hlai, it is shown that several important sound changes occurred between Pre-Hlai and Proto-Hlai. The aberrant Jiamao language is also examined, focusing on its complex contact relationships with other Hlai languages.