The Wapei languages constitute a branch of the Torricelli language family according to Laycock (1975) (quoted from Foley 2018). Glottolog does not accept this grouping. They are spoken in mountainous regions of eastern Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea.

Languages

Languages are: Gnau may also belong here.

Pronouns

Pronouns in Wapei languages are: ! !! Elkei !! Yau !! Yis !! Au !! Yil !! Ningil ! 1s ! 2s ! 3s ! 1p ! 2p ! 3p

Vocabulary comparison

The following basic vocabulary words are from Laycock (1968), as cited in the Trans-New Guinea database. The words cited constitute translation equivalents, whether they are cognate (e.g. wupli, wopli, wufliyəx for “sun”) or not (e.g. yipwur, maləx, nəfənək for “nose”). ! gloss !! Au !! Dia !! Elkei !! Ningil !! Olo !! Sinagen !! Yil !! Yis !! Yau ! head ! ear ! eye ! nose ! tooth ! tongue ! leg ! louse ! dog ! bird ! egg ! blood ! bone ! skin ! breast ! tree ! man ! woman ! sun ! moon ! water ! fire ! stone ! two