Andamanese languages
The Andamanese languages are the languages that are spoken by the indigenous people of the Andaman Islands. These languages belong to the oldest layer of language of South Asia and are related according to current estimates with any other language group. However, there was an attempt by Joseph Greenberg, combine them with the Papuan languages and the extinct Tasmanian languages to a macro family " Indo ". This hypothesis is now rejected by almost all linguists.
Classification
13 Andaman languages are known, of which, however, nine have become extinct since the colonization. The remaining four are spoken by only about 500 Andamesen.
The Andamanese languages are represented in the literature, usually as a genetic unit (eg van Driem 2001, Lynch 1998). However, the evidence for the genetic relationship of the large-and small Andamanese languages are extremely meager, if any. It could therefore also two separate language families act ( Abbi 2006: 93).
The closely related great Andamanese languages went through a process of convergence, ultimately be led to a single, common "mixed" language United Anda manic, but also their extinction is imminent soon. The relationship of the Jarawa and Onge is proved beyond doubt, although the separation of the two languages has been made a long time ago. The assignment of the Sentinel ( esischen ) for small Andaman has so far made only from areal reasons. There are no studies of sentinelesischen language, as a peaceful contact with the Sentinelese was previously not possible.
Anda Manic 13 languages , of which 9 died, a total of 450 speakers
- Great Anda Manic north Aka -Bo † (2010 extinct), Aka - Jeru †, † Aka Kora, Aka - Cari †
- A- Pucikwar (8-10 spokesman, ethnic 50), Aka - Kede †, Aka -Kol †, Eco Juwoi †, † Bale Aka, Aka -Bea †
- Jarawa (250) Onge ( Önge ) ( 100), Sentinel ( 100) (assignment uncertain)
According to recent press releases is the last speaker of the Aka -Bo language, and thus of the Northern Great Andaman, Boa Senior, died 2010 at the age of about 85 years. The numbers of speakers come from Abbi 2006.