Bayono–Awbono languages
Bayono–Awbono is a small group of Papuan languages spoken in Papua Province, Indonesia, south of the Somahai languages. Very little is known about them: only a few hundred words were recorded in early fieldwork. Four distinct varieties were noted.
Because evidence is limited, some researchers have left Bayono–Awbono unclassified, while others link it to larger language families. Dryer (2022) sees it as likely a branch of Trans–New Guinea, and Usher places Awbono–Bayono within the Greater Awyu (Digul River) family. Wilbrink observed only limited similarity to the neighboring Ok languages and did not classify Bayono–Awbono as Ok. The pronouns resemble those of nearby Ok and Greater Awyu languages and support a connection to Trans–New Guinea.
The four varieties are Bayono, Awbono, Densar, and Kovojab. The Glottolog code is bayo1259.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:20 (CET).