Foja Range languages

Tor–Kwerba
(tentative)
Geographic distribution	New Guinea
Linguistic classification	One of the world's primary language families
Subdivisions	Orya–Tor Kwerbic
Glottolog	None

The Tor–Kwerba languages are an independent family of Papuan languages proposed in 2005 by Malcolm Ross. All the languages had been part of Stephen Wurm's 1975 Trans–New Guinea proposal, but he did not recognize them as a unit, retaining Kwerba within Capell's 1962 Dani–Kwerba proposal.

Classification

The Tor and Kwerba families are clearly established. When classified together two relative isolates are included, as well as two languages of more dubious relationship.

Tor–Kwerba	Orya–Tor  Orya (Uria) Tor family ? Sause  Greater Kwerba  ? Mawes  Kwerba  family ? Isirawa

Sause is a holdover from earlier classifications. Its inclusion is uncertain, and was not addressed by Ross.

References

• Ross, Malcolm (2005). "Pronouns as a preliminary diagnostic for grouping Papuan languages". In Andrew Pawley; Robert Attenborough; Robin Hide; Jack Golson (eds.). Papuan pasts: cultural, linguistic and biological histories of Papuan-speaking peoples. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics. pp. 15–66. ISBN 0858835622. OCLC 67292782.