The sixty Papuan Tip languages form a branch of the Western Oceanic languages. All Papuan Tip languages, except for Nimoa, Sudest, and the Kilivila languages (all spoken on islands off the coast of mainland Papua New Guinea), have SOV word order due to influences from nearby Papuan languages (Lynch, Ross, & Crowley 2002:104). Universally, this is considered to be a typological unusual change.

Languages

The languages group as follows:^[1]

• Nuclear Papuan Tip linkage
  • ? Maisin (the Austronesian component)
  • Suauic linkage: Buhutu, 'Auhelawa, Oya'oya, Saliba, Suau, Bwanabwana, Wagawaga
  • North Mainland D'Entrecasteaux linkage
    • Anuki
    • Gumawana
    • Bwaidoga: Bwaidoka, Diodio (West Goodenough), 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
• Peripheral Papuan Tip linkage
  • Kilivila Misima linkage
    • Kilivila family: Budibud, Kilivila, Muyuw
    • Misima language
  • Nimoa Sudest family: Nimoa, Sudest
  • Central Papuan Tip family
    • Oumic: Magoric languages (Magori, Yoba, Bina), Ouma
    • Sinagoro Keapara: Hula, Keapara, Motu, Sinaugoro
    • West Central Papuan Tip
      • Abadi
      • Nuclear West Central Papuan Tip: Toura, Kuni, Mekeo, Lala, Waima

A 2008 analysis of the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database^[2] fully supported the unity of the Papuan Tip languages. However, it did not support Nuclear Papuan Tip or its main branch, North Papuan Mainland D'Entrecasteaux.

References

fr:Langues de la pointe papoue hr:Papuan Tip jezici