Papuan Languages

PAPUAN LANGUAGES. Papuan languages are spoken in New Guinea and the adjacent islands, and in the Solomon group. The Halmaheran languages of Indonesia are included with them. The definition of the languages is essentially negative, and they are described as those languages of the Melanesian and Indonesian regions which differ entirely in grammar, and very largely in vocabulary, from the Austronesian. The Papuan lan guages are not members of a single linguistic stock, but differ from one another in word-formation, in grammatical categories and expressions, and in syntax. The variations in vocabulary are extreme, and villages only a short distance apart use languages without a single common feature.

Geographical Distribution.-In

the British portion of New Guinea there is an unbroken succession of Papuan forms of speech from the Netherlands boundary to the St. Joseph and Vanapa rivers on the south coast, and to Collingwood bay on the north coast. East of these places Papuan languages are spoken on the hills inland and in the upper river valleys, and reach the coast only between Keakalo and Orangerie bays. East of Colling wood and Orangerie bays and in the islands off the south-eastern end of New Guinea, no Papuan languages appear, except doubt fully in Rossel island in the Louisiade archipelago. In British territory more than sixty Papuan languages have been partially recorded, but only fifteen are known by grammars. These are I. Kunini on the coast west of the Fly delta.

2. Miriam in the eastern islands of Torres straits.

3. Kiwai on the islands of the Fly delta, with many varia tions in vocabulary.

4. Tirio on the western shore of the Fly delta.

5. Goaribari or Kerewa at the mouth of the Bamu river.

6. Namau in the villages of the Purari delta.

7. Orokolo on the Papuan gulf.

8. Toaripi or Motumotu, at the eastern end of the Papuan gulf.

9. Binandele, in the basins of the Mamba, Gira and Ope rivers in the north-west of the possession.

1o. Ambo or Afoa (Tauata) inland from Hall sound and around Mount Yule.

I I. Fuyuge or Mafulu in the mountains inland from Galley reach.

12. Koiari, inland from Port Moresby, and Koita in the Motu villages.

13. Mulaha (now extinct), on the south-east coast.

14. Kwale, inland from Kapakapa.

15. Magi or Mailu, in coast villages from Cheshunt bay to Toulon island.

In the mandated territory the languages are Papuan, except in a few small districts on the coast, opposite islands where Melane sian dialects are spoken. A large number of short word-lists are recorded, and six languages are represented by grammars : I. Kate, inland from Finschhafen.

2. Bongu, inland from Astrolabe bay.

3. Bogajim, inland from Astrolabe bay.

4. Monumbo, on the coast at Potsdamhafen, opposite Vul can island.

5. Kavu, opposite Muschu island.

6. Valman, east of Berlinhafen.

In Netherlands territory there are many languages which are definitely non-Indonesian and non-Melanesian and are therefore included with the Papuan. But very little is known of the grammar and the uncertain classification depends almost entirely on vocabulary. One language of this region, the Nufor or Mefor, is represented by a grammar, but is essentially a mixed language.

The best known of the Papuan languages are: On the north coast: 1. Seka and Sentani, Lake Sentani.

2. Pauwi, on the lower Mamberamo river.

3. Angadi, Goredu and Nagramadu in the neighbourhood of Lake Jamur.

On the south coast: 4. Mimika, inland from Mimika river.

5. Merauke or Marind-anim, on the coast, between the Kumbe river and the British boundary.

West of New Guinea in Halmahera, the northern part of the island of Gilolo, the languages differ from the Indonesian. They are well known by comparative grammars and word-lists, and are conveniently grouped with the Papuan.

In New Britain several Papuan languages are recorded. Those known by grammars are : I. Baining, in the mountains inland of Gazelle peninsula. 2. Sulka, on the coast near Cape Orford.

In New Ireland several Papuan languages are named but exact information is wanting.