Meso-Melanesian languages
| Meso-Melanesian | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution: | Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands |
| Linguistic classification: |
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| Glottolog: | meso1253[1] |
The Meso-Melanesian languages are a moderately supported group of Oceanic languages spoken in the large Melanesian islands of New Ireland and the Solomon Islands east of New Guinea.
Composition
The languages of New Ireland are part of the Meso-Melanesian linkage.
The languages group as follows:[2]
- 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
- Tangga
- 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.
References
- ↑ Nordhoff, Sebastian; Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2013). "Meso-Melanesian linkage". Glottolog. Leipzig: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.
- ↑ Lynch, John; Malcolm Ross; Terry Crowley (2002). The Oceanic languages. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon. ISBN 9780700711284. OCLC 48929366.