Papuan Tip languages

The Papuan Tip languages are a branch of the Western Oceanic languages consisting of 60 languages.

Contact

All Papuan Tip languages, except Nimoa, Sudest, and the Kilivila languages, have Subject–object–verb [word order|subject–object–verb] word order due to influences from nearby Papuan languages. Universally, this is considered to be a typologically unusual change. Since these non-Austronesian influences can be reconstructed for Proto-Papuan Tip, they did not simply result from recent contact among individual daughter languages.

Languages

According to Lynch, Ross, & Crowley, the structure of the family is as follows:

Nuclear Papuan Tip linkage
*Suauic linkage: Buhutu, 'Auhelawa, Oya'oya, Unubahe, Saliba, Suau, Bwanabwana, Wagawaga
*North Mainland – D'Entrecasteaux linkage
**Anuki
**Gumawana
**Bwaidoga: Bwaidoka, Diodio, Iamalele, Iduna, Koluwawa, Maiadomu
**Dobu–Duau: Dobu, Molima, Bunama, Boselewa, Duau, Galeya, Mwatebu, Sewa Bay
**Kakabai: Dawawa, Kakabai
**Are–Taupota
***Are: Are, Arifama-Miniafia, Doga, Gapapaiwa, Ghayavi, Kaninuwa, Ubir
***Taupota: Gweda, Haigwai, Maiwala, Minaveha, Taupota, Tawala, Wa'ema, Wedau, Yakaikeke
Kilivila–Misima linkage
*Kilivila family: Budibud, Kilivila, Muyuw
*Misima language
Nimoa–Sudest family: Nimoa, Sudest
Central Papuan Tip family
*Oumic: Magoric, Ouma
*Sinagoro–Keapara: Hula–Keapara, Sinaugoro
*West Central Papuan Tip
**Motu
**Abadi
**Nuclear West Central Papuan Tip: Toura, Kuni, Mekeo, Lala, Waima

Maisin is difficult to classify, but its Austronesian component likely belongs with Nuclear Papuan Tip. Yele has recently been tentatively classified as closest to Nimoa–Sudest, while others classify it as a Papuan language.