Proto-Gäj language

Proto-Gäj (abbreviated PGäj; also called Proto-Gajic or Proto-Arklobu) is the reconstructed ancestor of the "Gäj" branch of the Arklobu-Qachkav languages.

Phonological stages from Proto-Arklobu-Qachkav to Proto-Gäj
The earliest reconstructible stage of the Gäj branch of the Arklobu-Qachkav languages is Proto-Gäj. This stage of the language had already made several significant changes to the consonant inventory, including a voiced/unvoiced contrast in the plosives rather than the plain/aspirated/glottalised, a lack of voicedness contrast in the sonorants, and a new set of fricatives. Proto-Gäj reflects Proto-Arklobu-Qachkav *x by a voiceless velar or palatal fricative, though it is thought the consonant was not velar and was likely voiced at the time of PAQ despite the symbol *x. Proto-Gäj had also shifted some vowel qualities, resulting in the vowel inventory presented above.

The following sound changes are reconstructed to have occurred, roughly in the order presented, in the development of Proto-Gäj from its ancestor Proto-Arklobu-Qachkav. In each example given, the start (PAQ) and end point (PGäj) for each word is shown, with relevant intermediate steps in bold.