Northwest Solomonic languages

The family of Northwest Solomonic languages is a branch of the Oceanic languages. It includes the Austronesian languages of Bougainville and Buka in Papua New Guinea, and of Choiseul, New Georgia, and Santa Isabel (excluding Bugotu) in the Solomon Islands.

The unity of Northwest Solomonic and the number and composition of its subgroups, along with its relationship to other Oceanic groups, was established in pioneering work by Malcolm Ross.^[2]

Components

Languages of Santa Isabel

Northwest Solomonic languages group as follows:^[3]

• Nehan – North Bougainville linkage
  • Nehan (Nissan)
  • Saposa–Tinputz: Hahon, Saposa (Taiof)–Teop, Tinputz
  • Buka: Halia–Hakö, Petats
  • Papapana
  • Solos
• Piva–Bannoni family: Piva (Lawunuia), Bannoni
• Mono–Uruavan family: Mono-Alu, Torau, Uruava
• Choiseul linkage: Babatana (including Sisingga)–Ririo, Vaghua–Varisi
• New Georgia – Ysabel family
  • New Georgia linkage: Simbo (Simbo Island), Roviana–Kusaghe, Marovo, Hoava, Vangunu (Vangunu Island), Nduke (Kolombangara Island), Ghanongga (Ranongga Island), Lungga (Ranongga Island), Ughele (North Rendova Island)
  • Ysabel linkage: Zabana (Kia)–Laghu^†, Kokota–Zazao (Kilokaka)–Blablanga, Gao–Cheke Holo (Maringe, Hograno)

In addition, the extinct Kazukuru language was probably one of the New Georgia languages and Tetepare may also have been one, if it was Austronesian at all.

Notes

References

• Ross, Malcolm D. (1988). Proto Oceanic and the Austronesian languages of Western Melanesia. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics. 
• Bill Palmer (2005). North West Solomonic materials. University of Surrey, UK.
• Bill Palmer (2010). . University of Newcastle, Australia.