Seram languages
Encyclopedia
The Seram languages are a group of forty Malayo-Polynesian languages
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:
  • Bobot
    Bobot language
    -External links:*...

    (related to Masiwang)
  • Masiwang (related to Bobot)
  • Hoti
  • Manusela–Seti: Benggoi, Huaulu, Salas, Liana-Seti, Manusela
  • Sawai–Nuaulu: Nuaulu, Saleman
  • Nunusaku
    • Kayeli
      Kayeli language
      Kayeli 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 languages
      Piru Bay languages
      The 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 Rivers
      Three Rivers languages
      The 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)


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.
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