East New Guinea Highlands Languages - Family Division

Family Division

• Wiru isolate
• Kenati isolate
• Duna–Pogaya family
• Kalam family: Gants, Kalam-Kobon, Tai
• Eastern (Kainantu) family
  • Owenia language
  • Kambaira language
  • Tairora branch: Binumarien, South Tairoa, North Tairoa, Waffa
  • Gapsup branch: Agarabi, Awiyaana, Awa, Gadsup, Kosena, Ontenu, Usarufa
• Central (Chimbu–Wahgi) family
  • Chimbu branch: Chuave, Dom, Golin, Kuman, Nomane, Salt-Yui, Sinasina
  • Hagen branch
    • Melpa (Medlpa) language
    • Kaugel languages: Imbongu, Mbo-Ung, Umbu-Ungu
  • Jimi branch: Maring, Narak, Kandawo
  • Wahgi branch: Nii, Wahgi, North Wahgi
• East-Central (Goroka) family
  • Gende language
  • Fore branch: Fore, Gimi
  • Gahuku branch: Dano (Upper Asaro), Benabena, Alekano (Gahuku), Tokano (Lower Asaro)
  • Siane branch: Siane, Yaweyuha
  • Kamono-Yagaria branch: Kamono, Inoke-Yate, Kanite, Keyagana, Yagaria
• West-Central (Engan) family
  • Huli language
  • Enga proper: Enga, Nete, Ipili, Lembena, Bisorio
  • Angal-Kewa branch: Kyaka, Angal, Angal Heneng (Katinja), Angal Enen, Samberigi (Sau), West Kewa, East Kewa, Erave

Ross classified each of the families in bold as a separate branch of TNG, with the exceptions of Kainantu and Goroka, which he kept together; Kalam, which he linked to the Rai Coast family; and Kenati, which he had insufficient data to classify but which has since been associated with Kainantu.

Ross believes that these languages lie near the homeland of proto–Trans New Guinea.