Oceanic Linguistics

Using phonological and lexical evidence, this paper seeks to demonstrate that Balinese, Sasak, and Sumbawa (which form an exclusive subgroup) are more closely related to Malay than they are to Javanese. It concludes—especially on the basis of phonological evidence—that the previously posited Malayo-Javanic subgroup should be replaced by a "Malayo-Sumbawan" subgroup that includes Malayic, Chamic, and the Balinese-Sasak-Sumbawa group in one branch, and Sundanese and Madurese in two other branches. Javanese is excluded from this subgroup.