Seram languages
Encyclopedia
The Seram languages are a group of forty Malayo-Polynesian languages
, spoken on and around the island of Seram
. They are moderately supported as a family. None of the languages have more than about twenty thousand speakers, and several are endangered with extinction.
A 2008 analysis of the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database moderately supported the unity of six Ceram languages, at a confidence level of 72%. The languages fell into two branches, each fully supported: Piru Bay with Three Rivers (Nunusaku), and Bobot with Masiwang. The other branches were not considered.
Malayo-Polynesian languages
The Malayo-Polynesian languages are a subgroup of the Austronesian languages, with approximately 385.5 million speakers. These are widely dispersed throughout the island nations of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean, with a smaller number in continental Asia...
, spoken on and around the island of Seram
Seram
Seram is an island in the Maluku province of Indonesia. It is located north of Ambon Island. The chief port/town is Masohi.- Geography and geology :...
. They are moderately supported as a family. None of the languages have more than about twenty thousand speakers, and several are endangered with extinction.
Classification
According to Ethnologue 15, the languages are as follows:- BobotBobot language-External links:*...
(related to Masiwang) - Masiwang (related to Bobot)
- Hoti
- Manusela–Seti: Benggoi, Huaulu, Salas, Liana-Seti, Manusela
- Sawai–Nuaulu: Nuaulu, Saleman
- Nunusaku
- KayeliKayeli languageKayeli is an Austronesian language which was used by the Kayeli people who lived in Indonesian island Buru . Two dialects were recognized, namely Leliali and Lumaete...
- Piru Bay languagesPiru Bay languagesThe Piru Bay languages are a group of twenty Malayo-Polynesian languages, spoken around Piru Bay on the island of Seram. None of the languages have more than about twenty thousand speakers, and several are endangered with extinction.-Classification:...
(20 languages) - Three RiversThree Rivers languagesThe Three Rivers languages are a group of ten Malayo-Polynesian languages spoken on the island of Seram. None of the languages have more than about twenty thousand speakers, and several are endangered with extinction.-Classification:...
(10 languages)
- Kayeli
A 2008 analysis of the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database moderately supported the unity of six Ceram languages, at a confidence level of 72%. The languages fell into two branches, each fully supported: Piru Bay with Three Rivers (Nunusaku), and Bobot with Masiwang. The other branches were not considered.