The West Papuan Highland languages, also known as the Irian Highland languages, are a branch of the TransâÂÂNew Guinea language family proposed by Larson & Larson (1972) and confirmed by Timothy Usher. William A. Foley considers their TransâÂÂNew Guinea identity to be established.
Capell linked the Dani languages to Kwerba in 1962, a position followed by Wurm, who included Dani-Kwerba and the Wissel Lakes (Paniai Lakes) languages as branches of TransâÂÂNew Guinea. Larson & Larson (1972) proposed that the Dani and Paniai Lakes families, along with the Amung and Dem isolates, grouped together within TNG. Ross (2005) suggests a possible link between Dani and Paniai with his West TNG proposal. Usher confirms Larson & Larson and finds that the Amung and Dem languages are closest to each other.