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1 General information
1.1 Language name and classification
Different researchers have classified Hunjara either as a dialect of Orokaiva or as a separate language. Most research points to Hunjara having a separate identity, though how linguistically different it is from
Orokaiva is debatable. Gordon 2005 lists Hunjara as a dialect of Orokaiva [ork], but does not mention Kaina Ke.
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Gordon classifies Orokaiva as follows: Trans-New Guinea, Main Section, Eastern, Binanderean, Binanderean Proper. As illustrated in table 1, there are ten Binanderean Proper languages:
Baruga, Binandere, Doghoro, Ewage Notu, Gaina, Korafe, Orokaiva, Suena, Yekora and Zia. Table 1. Orokaiva linguistic relationships Gordon 2005
Trans-New Guinea Main Section
Eastern Binanderean
Binanderean Proper Baruga +
Binandere + Doghoro
Ewage Notu + Gaina
Korafe
Orokaiva
Kokoda Hunjara +
Ajeka Aeka
Etija Sose, Sohe Ehija Ihane, Ifane
Harava Suena
Yekora Zia
Completed New Testament translation + Work in progress
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Subsequent to the writing of this report, Hunjara-Kaina Ke [hkk] was recognized as a language separate from but similar to Orokaiva presently designated [okv] Lewis 2009. As this paper is being published belatedly, further
changes will not be made herein to reflect the present status of these languages. It is worth noting, however, that the findings of the survey team regarding these languages have been officially recognized.
The classification of Orokaiva according to Ross 2005:35,37 is shown in table 2. Table 2. Orokaiva linguistic relationships Ross 2005
Trans New Guinea Binanderean
Binandere Baruga
Binandere Doghoro
Ewage-Notu Gaina
Korafe
Orokaiva
Suena Yekora
Zia In the Hunjara villages surveyed, everyone said the name of their language was Hunjara or Hunjara
Ke ke means ‘word’. In the Kaina villages surveyed, everyone said the name of their language was Kaina Ke. No one reported a name to cover both Hunjara and Kaina Ke, so the name Hunjara-Kaina Ke
will be used in this report. After studying the linguistic and sociolinguistic situation in the area, it seems appropriate to
conclude that Hunjara-Kaina Ke is a separate language from Orokaiva, with two major dialects: Hunjara and Kaina Ke see section 7.
1.2 Language location