37.3038, Books: The Languages of the Central and Western Division of Papua: Ray (2026)

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-37-3038. Tue Sep 22 2026. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 37.3038, Books: The Languages of the Central and Western Division of Papua: Ray (2026)

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Date: 22-Sep-2026
From: Ulrich Lueders [contact at lincom.eu]
Subject: The Languages of the Central and Western Division of Papua: Ray (2026)


Title: The Languages of the Central and Western Division of Papua
Series Title: LINCOM Gramatica 234
Publication Year: 2026

Publisher: Lincom GmbH
           https://lincom-shop.eu/
Book URL:
https://lincom-shop.eu/epages/57709feb-b889-4707-b2ce-c666fc88085d.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectPath=%2FShops%2F57709feb-b889-4707-b2ce-c666fc88085d%2FProducts%2F%22ISBN%209783969392973%22

Author(s): Sidney H. Ray

DIN A5. ISBN 9783969392973. LINCOM Gramatica 234. 70 pp. 2026. EUR
52.80.

Abstract:

In 1923, Sidney H. Ray studied numerous different languages in the
central and western parts of Papua. This overview attempts to outline
the grouping of various languages that appear to be related to one
another. The studies include a list of languages with precise
geographical classifications incl. map, an analysis of basic
grammatical structures and a comprehensive chapter on vocabulary,
comparing terms across the different languages.
The languages ​​studied include, for example, languages west of the
fly river—such as representatives of the Merauke, Sanana, and Bugi
groups, among others—languages ​​of the Fly Delta (like the Kiwai and
Gogodara groups), and languages ​​of the Fly Basin (such as the
Nausaku or Tagota groups). In the central part of Papua, various
groups of Melanesian and Papuan languages ​​are also being studied,
including the Kukukuku and Kovio groups.
The first vocabulary lists for the western part of Papua were compiled
by various missionaries in 1822; the first book appeared in 1876.
Initial language samples from the central region were collected in
1846, and comparative vocabulary lists were published in 1880. These
were followed by the more detailed linguistic studies by Sidney H. Ray
discussed here. (Re-edition. First edited in two publication, 1923,
1929, London).

Linguistic Field(s): Language Documentation

Written In: English (eng, stan1293)



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