Piru Bay languages
Encyclopedia
The Piru Bay languages are a group of twenty Malayo-Polynesian languages
, spoken around Piru Bay on the island of Seram
. None of the languages have more than about twenty thousand speakers, and several are endangered with extinction.
Malayo-Polynesian languages
The Malayo-Polynesian languages are a subgroup of the Austronesian languages, with approximately 385.5 million speakers. These are widely dispersed throughout the island nations of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean, with a smaller number in continental Asia...
, spoken around Piru Bay on the island of Seram
Seram
Seram is an island in the Maluku province of Indonesia. It is located north of Ambon Island. The chief port/town is Masohi.- Geography and geology :...
. None of the languages have more than about twenty thousand speakers, and several are endangered with extinction.
Classification
According to Ethnologue 15, the languages are as follows:- Haruku
- West Piru Bay
- Asilulu: Asilulu, Seit-Kaitetu
- Hoamoal: Luhu; Larike-Wakasihu, Boano
- East Piru Bay
- Kaibobo
- Sepa
- Teluti
- Seram Straits
- Ambon: Hitu, Laha, Tulehu
- Paulohi (Solehua)
- Uliase
- Kamarian
- Hatuhaha
- Elpaputi: Amahai, Nusa Laut
- Saparua: Saparua, Latu