| Santo | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution: |
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu |
| Linguistic classification: | Austronesian
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| Subdivisions: |
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The Santo languages are a branch of Oceanic languages spoken on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu.
The Santo languages are not particularly close, and groups of East Santo and West Santo languages have traditionally been placed in different branches of the North Vanuatu languages. However, a 2008 analysis of the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database[1] fully supports the unity of Araki and Merei, West Santo languages, with Sakao, an East Santo language. In addition, Sakao appeared to be closer to Merei than Merei was to Araki, at a 60% confidence level. However, Sakao is divergent, and no other East Santo languages were included in the analysis. It is therefore possible that further research will reestablish a division between East and West Santo.
The traditional East Santo languages are Sakao and a core of Butmas-Tur, Lorediakarkar, Polonombauk, and Shark Bay.
The traditional West Santo languages are Akei, Araki, Amblong, Aore, Kiai (Fortsenal), Merei, Mafea, Malo, Morouas, Narango, Navut, Nokuku, Piamatsina, Roria, Tambotalo, Tangoa, Tiale, Tolomako, Tutuba, Tasmate, Valpei, Vunapu, Wailapa, and Wusi.