Meso-Melanesian languages
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"New Ireland languages" redirects here. For modern languages in Ireland, see Languages of Ireland.
Subgroup in the Oceanic family of languages
Meso-Melanesian | |
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Geographic distribution | Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands |
Linguistic classification | Austronesian
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Proto-language | Proto-Meso-Melanesian |
Glottolog | meso1253 |
The Meso-Melanesian languages are a linkage of Oceanic languages spoken in the large Melanesian islands of New Ireland and the Solomon Islands east of New Guinea. Bali is one of the most conservative languages.
Composition
The languages group as follows:[1]
- Willaumez linkage: Bola, Bulu, Meramera, Nakanai
- Bali–Vitu: Bali (Uneapa), Vitu (Muduapa) [may be a single language]
- New Ireland – Northwest Solomonic linkage
- Tungag–Nalik family: Tigak, Tungag, Nalik, Laxudumau, Kara, Tiang
- Tabar linkage: Madara (Tabar), Lihir, Notsi
- Madak linkage: Barok, Lavatbura-Lamusong, Madak
- Tomoip
- St George linkage
- Niwer Mil
- Warwar Feni
- Fanamaket
- Sursurunga
- Konomala
- Patpatar–Tolai: Patpatar, Lungalunga (Minigir), Tolai (Kuanua)
- Label–Bilur: Label, Bilur
- Kandas–Ramoaaina: Kandas, Ramoaaina
- Siar
- Northwest Solomonic linkage
Ethnologue adds Guramalum to the St George linkage.
The Willaumez Peninsula on the north coast of New Britain was evidently the center of dispersal.
Johnston (1982) combines the Willaumez and Bali–Vitu branches into a single Kimbe branch, for which he reconstructs Proto-Kimbe.[2]
Language contact
Lenition in Lamasong, Madak, Barok, Nalik, and Kara may have diffused via influence from Kuot, the only non-Austronesian language spoken on New Ireland (Ross 1994: 566).[3]
References
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- * indicates proposed status
- ? indicates classification dispute
- † indicates extinct status