Information concerning Ramu-Lower Sepik languages

Where are Ramu-Lower Sepik languages spoken ?

These languages are spoken in northern Papua New Guinea, in the basin of the River Ramu and on the lower banks of the River Sepik.

Total number of speakers (estimate) :

This section will be further developed later.

Classification:

The Ramu-Lower Sepik family includes 35 languages:

Lower-Sepik Branch

Murik

Kopar

Pondo sub-group

Angoram

Chambri

Tabriak

Yimas

Ramu Branch

Lower Ramu

Ottilien sub-group

Mbore

Awar

Bosmun

Kayan

Marangis

Misegian or Mikarew sub group

Aruamu

Kire

Sepen

Keram or Grass sub-group

Abu

Ambakich

Banaro

Gorovu

Ataitan or Tanggu sub-group

Andarum

Kanggape

Tanggu

Tanguat

Tamolan sub-group

Akrukay

Breri

Igana

Inapang

Kominimung

Romkun

Annaberg or Mid Ramu sub-group

Aiome

Anor

Rao

Mongol-langam sub-group

Langam

Mongol

Yaul

Comments on the classification:

Our classification is based on those of Foley (2005) and ethnologue.com. These languages have sometimes been assimilated to those of the Sepik family, in a theoretical « Sepik-Ramu » grouping ; but this assimilation is no longer considered to be valid.

There is no real consensus on the internal classification of these languages, only the Lower Ramu branch is really accepted, the others are hypothetical groupings at this time.

NB : the Mongol language of the Ramu-Lower Sepik family should not be confused with Mongol, the official language of Mongolia.

Sources

Foley, William A. « Linguistic prehistory in the Sepik-Ramu basin ». in Andrew Pawley, Robert Attenborough, Robin Hide, Jack Golson, eds.. Papuan pasts: cultural, linguistic and biological histories of Papuan-speaking peoples. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics (2005).