Arafundi languages


The Arafundi languages are a small family of clearly related languages in East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. They are conjectured to be related to the Piawi and Madang languages. They are named after the Arafundi River.
Alfendio is an old synonym for Arafundi, from when it was still considered a single language.

Languages

The Arafundi languages form a dialect continuum where language boundaries are blurred.
The Arafundi languages are,
Kassell, et al. recognize Andai, Nanubae, and Tapei.
Foley cites Hoenigman for 'Upper Arafundi' and 'Lower Arafundi', as well as listing Awiakay and 'Imboin'. However, the scope of these names is somewhat confused. Usher notes,
An Enga-based pidgin is also used by speakers of Arafundi languages.

Classification

grouped the Arafundi languages with the Ramu languages, although this grouping was apparently impressionistic and not based on either reconstructive work or lexicostatistics. Ross retains Laycock's grouping without comment. However, Foley does not include Arafundi within Ramu, and Ethnologue shows them as an independent family. Foley has suggested instead that the Arafundi and Piawi languages may be related, a position confirmed by Timothy Usher.