Melanau–Kajang languages - Misplaced Pages

(Redirected from Central Sarawak languages) Subgroup of the Austronesian language family

Melanau–Kajang
Central Sarawak
Geographic distribution	Indonesia and Malaysia (Borneo)
Linguistic classification	Austronesian Malayo-Polynesian Greater North Borneo Melanau–Kajang
Subdivisions	Kajang (Kayang) Melanau Punan–Müller-Schwaner
Language codes
Glottolog	`sara1342`

The Melanau–Kajang languages or Central Sarawak languages are a group of languages spoken in Kalimantan, Indonesia and Sarawak, Malaysia by the Kenyah, Melanau and related peoples.

Classification

Smith (2017)

Smith (2017) uses the term Central Sarawak, and puts it as an independent branch within the Greater North Borneo subgroup. He classifies the languages as follows.

Melanau (Dalat, Sarikei, Mukah, Balingian, Matu, Sibu, Kanowit)
Kajang (Kejaman, Sekapan, Lahanan)
Punan–Müller-Schwaner
- Punan
  - Punan Bah, Punan Tubu, Sajau
  - Punan Lisum, Punan Aput, Beketan, Ukit, Buket
- Müller-Schwaner
  - Hovongan
  - Kereho, Aoheng, Seputan

Austroasiatic influence

Kaufman (2018) notes that many Proto-Central Sarawak words (Smith 2017) are of likely Austroasiatic origin, including the following (Note: The Austroasiatic branch reconstructions are from Paul Sidwell's reconstructions; Proto-Pearic is from Headley (1985)).

*siaw ‘chicken’ (cf. Proto-Khasic *sʔiar; Proto-Khmuic *(s)ʔiər)
*tilaŋ ‘tiger leech’ (cf. Proto-Katuic *ɟləəŋ)
*(ə)liŋ ‘saliva’

Proto-Kajang words of likely Austroasiatic origin:

*diə̯k ‘chicken’ (cf. Proto-Pearic *hlɛːk)
*(u)bəl ‘mute’ (cf. Proto-Bahnaric *kmlɔː)

Proto-Müller-Schwaner words of likely Austroasiatic origin:

*ənap ‘fish scale’

References

Smith, Alexander. 2017. The Languages of Borneo: A Comprehensive Classification. PhD Dissertation: University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Headley, Robert K. 1985. "Proto-Pearic and the classification of Pearic." In Suriya Ratanakult et al. (eds.), Southeast Asian Linguistic Studies Presented to Andre-G. Haudricourt. Institute of Language and Culture for Rural Development, Mahidol University. pp. 428-478.
Kaufman, Daniel. 2018. Between mainland and island Southeast Asia: Evidence for a Mon-Khmer presence in Borneo. Ronald and Janette Gatty Lecture Series. Kahin Center for Advanced Research on Southeast Asia, Cornell University. (handout / slides)

Rensch, Calvin R. 2012. Melanau and the Languages of Central Sarawak. SIL Electronic Survey Report. SIL International.

Malayo–Chamic *

Iban–Malayan

North Borneo *

Greater
Dusunic *

Bisaya–Lotud	Brunei Bisaya Lotud
Dusunic	Eastern Kadazan Kadazandusun Central Dusun Coastal Kadazan Klias River Kadazan Kota Marudu Talantang Kuijau Momogun / Rungus
Paitanic	Kinabatangan Serudung Abai Sungai Tombonuwo

Greater
Murutic *

Papar Tatana ?
Murutic	Baukan Ganaʼ Kalabakan Keningau Nunukan Tidung Okolod Paluan Selungai Sembakung Sesayap Tidung Tagol Timugon

Others

Moklenic ?
- Moken
- Moklen
Rejang ?
Sundanese
- Old Sundanese †
- Baduy
- Bantenese
- Cirebonese

* indicates proposed status
? indicates classification dispute
† indicates extinct status

Austronesian languages

Formosan

Malayo-Polynesian

Western

Philippine

Greater Barito*

Barito
Basap*

Greater North Borneo*

North Borneo *
- Sabahan
- North Sarawakan
Melanau–Kajang
Kayan–Murik
Land Dayak
Malayo–Chamic *
Sundanese
Rejang?
Moklenic?

Admiralty St. Matthias Temotu Southeast Solomonic Micronesian Central Pacific
Western	Meso-Melanesian North New Guinea Papuan Tip
Southern	Vanuatu North Central South Loyalties–New Caledonia

* indicates proposed status
? indicates classification dispute
† indicates extinct status

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