http://michie.net
PNG Languages

[ Home Page |PNG Index | PNG FAQ's | Site Map ]
SIL - Summer Institute of Linguistics

Some of the many languages from Papua New Guinea

Some of the languages have been lost -- Lost Languages of PNG

See also http://www.ethnologue.com/show_map.asp?name=PG

\
Province Districts <- - - - - - - - - - - - Languages - - - - - - - - - - - ->
 
Central Abau Magi Keapara Daga Sona        
Goilala Fuyuge Taude Kunimaipa          
Hiri Motu Koiari Koita          
Kairuku Roro Nara Mekeo Kuni        
Rigo Sinagoro Keapara Maria          
 
Chimbu (Simbu) Chuave Elimbari Chuave Siane-Komunku Lambau        
Gembogl (Kuman Nagane)             
Gumine Golin Salt-Yui Yuri Kia Keri Era Nomane  
Karimui Mikaru Daribi Pawaia Bomai          
Kerowagi Kuman Kombugl            
Kundiawa Kuman Dom Naur Narku Nongumugl      
Sinasina Tabare Guna            
 
East New Britain Kokopo Kuanua Baining            
Pomio Mengen Mamusi Kol Baining        
Rabaul Kuanua Duke of York Baining          
 
East Sepik Ambunti Iwam Kwoma Manambu Chambri        
Angoram Iatmul Angorarn Kambot Banaro        
Maprik Abelam Abulas Kwanga Southern Arapesh          
Wewak Boiken Sawos Mountain Arapesh Kairiru        
 
Eastern Highlands Goroka Gahuku-Asaro Benabena Siane          
Henganofi Kamano              
Kainantu Gadsup Agarabi Tairora          
Lufa Kamano-Yagaria Gimi            
Marawaka Baruya Sirnbari Yagwoia          
Okapa Fore Gimi Auyana          
 
Enga Kandep Enga (Kandepe) Katinjav            
Kompiam Enga (Sau Kopona) Wapi Lembena          
Lagaip Enga (Tayato Yandapo) Nete            
Porgera Ipili Hewa            
Wabag Enga Mai Kaina Malamuni        
Wapenamanda Enga Layapo Kopona          
 
Gulf Baimuru Purari Pawaia            
Ihu Orokolo Keuru            
Kaintiba Hamtai Kaintiba              
Kerema Uaripi              
Kikori North-eastern Kiwai Kerewo Podope Porome        
Malalaua Toaripi Hamtai Pmasa'a            
 
Madang Bogia Manam Mikarew Katiati Tangu Tani      
Karkar Takia Waskia            
Madang Amele Gedaged Mugil Garuh Garusv      
Middle Ramu Kalam Rao Kobon Maring        
Rai Coast Nahu Rawa Mebu Nankina        
Upper Ramu Gende Girawa Rawa Sumau        
 
Milne Bay Alotau Kehelala Taupota Tavara Bohutu Wagawaga      
Bolubolu Iduna Bwaidoka            
Esa'ala Dobu Duau Molima          
Losuia Kilivila Muyuw            
Misima Misima Yele Sud-est          
Rabaraba Gwedena Dawawa Gapapaiwa Maiwa Wedau      
Samarai Suau Kehelala Tubetube          
 
Morobe Finschhafen Kate (Kote) Kube The spelling of Kote uses non-English characters, however the “o” is an “a” with a caret above          
Garaina Guhu-Samane Biaru-Waria Gazili          
Huon Bukawac Nabak Wampar          
Kabwum Kimba Timbe Selepet          
Kaiapit Adzera Wantoat Safeyoka          
Menyamya Menya Hamtai Yagwoia          
Mumeng Mumeng Mapos            
Siassi Kovai Mutu Mangap          
Wau Hamtai Biangi            
 
New Ireland Kavieng Tigak Nalik Kara          
Konos Madak Tabar Notsi          
Lihir Lihir              
Mussau Emira Emira-Mussau              
Namatanai Tangga Patpatar            
New Hanover Tungak              
 
North Solomons Buin Buin Siwai Nagovisi Banoni        
Buka Halia Teop Solos Nehen        
Kieta Nasioi Rotokas Eivo       least number of letters in any alphabet in the world.  
 
Oro (Northern) Afore Managalasi Yareba Bauwaki          
Ioma Binandere Aeka            
Kira Guhu-samane              
Kokoda Hunjara Barai Aomie Mt Koiari        
Popondetta Orokaiva Notu Ambasi          
Tufi Korafe Arifamia-Miniafia Maisin Baruga        
 
Southern Highlands Ialibu Kewa Imbong'gu Wiru          
Kagua Kewa Sau Wiru Podopa        
Koroba Duna Huli Hewa          
Mendi Angal (Mendi)              
Nipa Angal Foi Fasu          
Pangia Wiru              
Tari Huli Kaluli            
 
West New Britain Bialla Nakanai Melamela            
Gloucester Kaliai Mok-Aria-Bibling Kilenge Bariai - Alt=Kabana        
Kandrian Arawe Moewehafen Pulie Rauto        
Kirnbe Bali-Witu Bola Kove-Kaliai Mok-Aria        
 
West Sepik
(Sandaun)
Aitape Sissano Olo Warapu Mountain Arapesh        
Amanab Abau Amanab Waris Anggor        
Lumi Olo An Namie          
Nuku Kwanga Mehek Au Yil        
Telefomin Oksapmin Telefol Tifal Mianmin        
Vanimo Fas Kilmeri Vanimo          
 
Western Highlands Hagen Central Melpa Gawigl            
Hagen North Melpa Enga Kayaka            
Jimi Ganja Narak Maring Kalam        
Tarnbul Gawigl              
Wahgi Wahgi              
 
Western Balimo Gogodala Bamu Kiwai Ari-Waruna Waia        
Daru Southern Kiwai Wabuda Bine Gidra Idi      
Kiunga Awol Ninggirurn            
Morehead Idi Nambu Lewanda Suki Tonda      
Nomad Biami Nomad Boazi Pa Zimakani      
Tabubil Bimin Faiwol            
 

Which language or group of languages has the shortest alphabet? - Rotokas from the North Solomons. This is in fact the shortest of all languages in the world with 11 letters. These 11 are made up of 5 vowels and 6 consonants: A, E, I, O, U, B, G, K, P, R, T. It is spoken by about 4300 people.



The Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) deals with over 285 of the PNG languages.
Please visit a page on this web site about the work of SIL

A preliminary language study by Dr Richard Guy

[ Home | PNG Index | PNG Links | PNG FAQ's | PNG Gossip | michie .net | Family Index | Site Info ]




Contact details

Created 22 Feb, 1998
Updated 8 Mar, 2011
michie.net

© 1998 - Trevor Michie