Seram languages

Seram
Ceram
Geographic distribution:	Indonesia
Linguistic classification:	Austronesian Malayo-Polynesian (MP) Nuclear MP Central Maluku ? East Central Maluku Seram
Subdivisions:	Nunusaku Bobot–Masiwang etc.

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.

Classification

According to Ethnologue 15, the languages are as follows:

• Bobot (related to Masiwang)
• Masiwang (related to Bobot)
• Hoti
• Manusela–Seti: Benggoi, Huaulu, Salas, Liana-Seti, Manusela
• Sawai–Nuaulu: Nuaulu, Saleman
• Nunusaku
  • Kayeli
  • Piru Bay languages (20 languages)
  • Three Rivers (10 languages)

A 2008 analysis of the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database^[1] moderately supported the unity of six Ceram languages,^[2] 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.

References

1. ^ Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database
2. ^ The Bobot language is listed twice, under the names Bobot and Werinama. Likewise, Masiwang is listed twice, under Masiwang and Bonfia.