Abstract:
Karam is spoken in the Bismarck-Schrader Ranges
on the northern border of the Western Highlands District of
Australian New Guinea. Karam speakers, numbering some 10,000 to
14,000, occupy several valleys both on the Ramu and the Jimi
falls of these ranges. On the Ramu fall they occuPY the AiomeRamu
slopes, the Asai Valley, and the Upper Simbai Valley as far
east as Songuvak on the northern side and Tembiamp on the
southern side. On the Jimi fall they occupy the Aunjang and Kaiment
Valleys, and the Upper Kaironk Valley as far west as Aynong
Resthouse.
1.2 External relationships of Karam.
Wurm states that Karam is related to but is not a
member of his East New Guinea Highland? Stock, a stock to which
he assigns 50 of the 60-odd languages spoken in the three Highlands
districts of Australian New Guinea. On the basis of lexicostatistical
and typological evidence (see Appendix A) Wurm claims
that Karam, together with the East New Guinea Highlands Stock
and several other languages spoken in Australian Highlands form
a micro-phylum which he calls the East New Guinea Highlands