Kuman language (New Guinea)


Kuman is a language of Chimbu Province, Papua New Guinea. In 1994, it was estimated that 80,000 people spoke Kuman, 10,000 of them monolinguals; in the 2000 census, 115,000 were reported, with few monolinguals.

Phonology

Like other Chimbu languages, Kuman has rather unusual lateral consonants. Besides the typical, it has a "laterally released velar affricate" which is voiced medially and voiceless finally. Based on related languages, this is presumably, allophonically .

Grammar

Kuman is an SOV language.