It was first documented by Andrew Pick in the 2010s and classified by Pick (2019) as a probable primary branch of Madang, though its precise classification is still pending further research.
Yamben (Yaben) was not previously noticed by other scholars due to confusion with the nearby language of the same name.
[1] Yamben is spoken in the single village of Yambarik (4°46′16″S 145°34′12″E / 4.771029°S 145.570102°E / -4.771029; 145.570102 (Yambrik)) in Imbab ward, Sumgilbar Rural LLG, and is reachable via a few hours' hike into the Adelbert Mountains from Tokain village.
[2][3] Unlike other languages belonging to the Madang branch, Yamben has a palatal nasal consonant (/ɲ/) and a labiovelar consonant series.
[1] Basic vocabulary in Yamben and nearby Croisilles languages:[1]