Dani languages

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Dani
Ethnicity: Dani, Lani, Yali, etc
Geographic
distribution:		 Highlands of Irian Jaya
Linguistic classification: Trans–New Guinea
Subdivisions:
  • Wano
  • Dani proper
  • ?Ngalik
Ethnologue code: 17-1517

The Dani languages are a family of clearly related Trans–New Guinea languages spoken by the Dani and related peoples in the highlands of Irian Jaya. Foley (2003) considers their TNG status to be established. They may be most closely related to the languages of Paniai Lakes, but this is not yet clear. Capell (1962) had posited that their closest relatives were the Kwerba languages, which Ross (2005) rejects.

The family is traditionally divided into three branches. The Ngalik languages are very poorly attested (Malcolm Ross could not even find pronouns to classify them), so this picture may need revision.

  • Dani family
    • Wano language
    • Dani proper: Hupla, Nggem, Walak, Upper Grand Valley Dani, Lower Grand Valley Dani, Mid Grand Valley Dani, Western Dani
    • Ngalik branch [little data available]: Nduga, Silimo, Ninia Yali, Pass Valley Yali, Angguruk Yali

References

  • Ross, Malcolm (2005). "Pronouns as a preliminary diagnostic for grouping Papuan languages". In Andrew Pawley, Robert Attenborough, Robin Hide, Jack Golson, eds. Papuan pasts: cultural, linguistic and biological histories of Papuan-speaking peoples. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics. pp. 15–66. ISBN 0858835622. OCLC 67292782. 


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