The sixty Papuan Tip languages form a branch of the Western Oceanic languages. All Papuan Tip languages, except for Nimoa, Sudest, and the Kilivila languages (all spoken on islands off the coast of mainland Papua New Guinea), have SOV word order due to influences from nearby Papuan languages (Lynch, Ross, & Crowley 2002:104). Universally, this is considered to be a typologically unusual change.
Read more about Papuan Tip Languages: Languages
Famous quotes containing the words tip and/or languages:
“When words reach the tip of your tongue, hold back half of them.”
—Chinese proverb.
“People in places many of us never heard of, whose names we can’t pronounce or even spell, are speaking up for themselves. They speak in languages we once classified as “exotic” but whose mastery is now essential for our diplomats and businessmen. But what they say is very much the same the world over. They want a decent standard of living. They want human dignity and a voice in their own futures. They want their children to grow up strong and healthy and free.”
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