Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian
Geographic distribution:	Indonesia and the Pacific
Genetic classification:	Austronesian  Paiwanic   Malayo-Polynesian (MP)    Nuclear Malayo-Polynesian     Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian
Subdivisions:	Sumba-Flores Core Central-Eastern MP

The Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian (CEMP) languages form a putative branch of the Nuclear Malayo-Polynesian languages consisting of over 700 languages. The relationship is moderately supported by linguistic data: analysis of the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database (2008)^[1] gives the proposal a confidence level of 80%. In fact, if Chamorro and Palauan are included, the confidence rises to 85%.^[2]

[edit] Classification

The traditional division of CEMP is into Central Malayo-Polynesian and Eastern Malayo-Polynesian. However, Central MP has never been demonstrated to be a valid clade, and Eastern MP is only poorly supported.

In the 2008 analysis, CEMP was supported at an 80% confidence level. The Sumba-Flores languages appear to be the most divergent; the rest of the languages (core CEMP) are supported as a unit at 82%. The results are as follows. (Branches without a percentage were supported by at least 90%.)

Greater   CEMP  (85%)	Central-Eastern  MP (80%) Sumba-Flores languages  Core   CEMP  (80%) Irarutu (Kasira) Selaru (Selaru, Selawasan)  Yamdena-Bomberai  (56%) Yamdena Kei-Tanimbar  (73%)  North Bomberai Kowiai (S. Bomberai)  Central Maluku  (54%) East Central Maluku Sula-Buru languages Timor-Babar languages  Eastern MP  (58%)  (80%)  Halmahera–Cenderawasih Oceanic Chamorro Palauan

The West Damar language and the closely related Teor and Kur languages, conventionally placed in Central MP, were not included in the 2008 study.

[edit] References

• Fay Wouk and Malcolm Ross (ed.), The history and typology of western Austronesian voice systems. Australian National University, 2002.
• K. Alexander Adelaar and Nikolaus Himmelmann, The Austronesian languages of Asia and Madagascar. Routledge, 2005.