The Fas languages, also known as Baibai-Fas, are a small language family of Papua New Guinea.
Facts
RegionSandaun Province, Papua New Guinea 1 Proto-Language StatusOriginally named Fas; Laycock (1975) reclassified the Fas language into the Kwomtari family as part of a proposed Kwomtari-Fas grouping, an error perpetuated in later literature. Baron found no evidence that Fas and Kwomtari share more similarities than either does with neighboring unrelated families, and Glottolog lists Fas (Baibai-Fas) as an independent family. 2 Laycock (1975) originally proposed a Kwomtari-Fas grouping; Baron's later analysis rejected it, and Glottolog treats Fas as an independent family. Partially Attested
Speaker CountCombined estimate across the family's two languages: Fas approximately 2,500 speakers (2000 census, cited here); Baibai approximately 340 speakers (2000 census, Wikipedia Baibai language, not separately cited in this pass). Sources
1. Wikipedia: Baibai language
WikipediaInfobox, region fieldQuote, Infobox, region field
Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea
2. Wikipedia: Fas languages
WikipediaClassification history sectionQuote, Classification history section
Baron sees no evidence that the similarities between the Fas and Kwomtari families are any greater than with neighboring unrelated families.
3. Wikipedia: Fas language
WikipediaInfobox, Native speakers fieldQuote, Infobox, Native speakers field
(2,500 cited 2000 census)
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.