Upper Yuat languages
The Upper Yuat languages consist of two small language families, namely Arafundi and Piawi, spoken in the region of the upper Yuat River of New Guinea. The connection was first suggested by William A. Foley and confirmed by Timothy Usher, who further links them to the Madang languages.
Upper Yuat languages display more typological similarities with Trans-New Guinea than the other neighboring language families of the Sepik-Ramu basin. The Madang languages are frequently included in Trans–New Guinea classifications, but the connection is not yet demonstrated.
The Piawi languages are morphologically much simpler than the Arafundi languages.
Linguistic varieties
lists the following linguistic varieties.;Upper Yuat
- Piawi languages: Harway, Pinai-Hagahai
- Arafundi languages: Awiakay, Arafundi language|Lower Arafundi], Upper Arafundi, Imboin
Pronouns
Personal pronouns in individual languages are as follows:
3rd-person *nu corresponds to Piawi 3 singular and Arafundi 2/3 plural, *ne to Piawi 2/3 plural and Arafundi 2/3 dual.