The fact is, there are many languages that exist in the land of Papua. In total, there are around 428 regional languages, which are being used in smaller areas. It is not only the native Papuan languages that exist here. There are also languages that are mixed from other ethnicities, like Arguni language.
This is because the language of Arguni is part of the Austronesian language family. It is one of the two main family languages in Papua. Another one is probably the Papuan language family. Then, where do the Arguni language speakers come from? Then, how many of them are there now?
Here is the history of the language of Arguni that you need to know!
The Areas Where the Language of Arguni is Spoken
In fact, Arguni is one of the regional languages of Papua. You can find speakers of the language in Arguni Village and also Taver Village. It is located in the Arguni District, Kaimana Regency, West Papua. To be precise, in Arguni Island, on the northwest coast of the Bomberai Peninsula near Maccluer Bay.
Just like in almost all areas in Papua, the use of the Arguni language is indeed limited to one or two villages. The surrounding villages of Arguni Village and Taver Village use different languages. For example, on the east side of Arguni Village. There is Flor Village, whose villagers speak the Bedoanas language.
Then, in the western part, there is Ugar Village which speaks the Sekar Onim language. In the northern part, there is Otoweri Village where the villagers are speakers of Kemberano language. Then, in the southern part, there are the villagers of Andamata Village who also speak Bedoanas language.
Based on dialect metric calculations, Arguni is indeed a language and not only a dialect. The percentage of the difference with other languages is 93% to 100%. For example, 93% with the Bedoanas, 97% with Sekar Onim and Iha, 99% with Kamberano, and 100% with the Iratutu language.
The Speakers of the Language of Arguni
Basically, Arguni is a language whose use is limited to certain tribes. Actually, this is very normal in the territory of Indonesia. Especially in the land of Papua where there is a lot of ethnic groups and tribes diversity. This also applies to the language of Arguni.
Almost all the speakers of the Arguni language come from the Arguni Tribe. They are one of the native tribes of Papua who live on the northwest coastline of the Bomberai Peninsula. The total populations of the Arguni Tribe are around 200 people.
However, according to Ethnologue, there are only around 150 people of Arguni Tribe that still exist today. This causes fewer Arguni speakers over time. Because they are the only ones who can speak the language of Arguni.
Arguni Language Belongs to the Austronesian Family Languages: Why?
As previously mentioned, there are two major language families in the land of Papua. The two languages are the native Papuan languages and also the Austronesian languages. Arguni itself is included in the Austronesian ones.
The distribution of the Austronesian languages family is also quite wide. Starting from Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, to the Asia Pacific and Oceania. Then, this language family is also in Madagascar, Suriname, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, etc.
In the land of Papua itself, the distribution of this language is around the coastal areas. This is because the Austronesian people passed through this area when migrating in ancient times. This also makes cultural assimilation, including language, with natives.
This also happened to the Arguni Tribe. The contact they made with the Austronesians led to cultural assimilation.
One of the outcomes is obviously the emergence of the Arguni language. Aside from the language of Arguni, the villagers also use Indonesian and Papua Malay to communicate.
