Kayan–Murik languages

The Kayan or Kayan–Murik languages are a group of Austronesian languages spoken in Borneo by the Kayan, Punan, and related peoples.

They are,

• Modang–Kayan
  • Kayan proper: Bahau, various languages called Kayan
  • Modang: Modang, Segai (Punan Kelai)
• Punan–Kajang
  • Muller-Schwaner "Punan": Bukat, Hovongan, Aoheng, Punan, Kereho-Uheng
  • Kajang: Bukitan, Kajaman, Lahanan, Punan Batu, Sekapan, Sian, Ukit
• Kenyah
• Murik

Robert Blust (1991) specifically excluded Kayan from his North Bornean languages. In his conception, Kayan consisted of Kayan, Modang, Muller-Schwaner "Punan", and Murik. However, a 2008 analysis of the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database^[1] fully supported the unity of Kayan with the North Sarawakan (North Borneo) families of Kenyah and Kajang, as shown in the tree above. (Modang–Kayan specifically was supported at a 95% confidence level, and Punan–Kajang at 90%.) The position of Murik was not addressed, and so is left here as a primary branch, as in Blust.

References