Malakula languages


The Malakula languages are a group of Central Vanuatu languages spoken on Malakula Island in central Vanuatu. Unlike some earlier classifications, Lynch considers the Malakula languages to form a coherent group.

Classification

Lynch divides the Malakula languages into three primary subgroups, namely Northern, Eastern, and Western, all three of which are linkages. Lynch recognizes 32 languages.
The Central-Western linkage is only very weakly defined, while Ninde and Nāti have similarities with both the Northwestern and Southwestern linkages.
The positions of the Sörsörian, Rerep, Vivti, and Nitita languages were not addressed.

Languages

François lists the following 42 Malakula languages.
No.LanguageOther namesSpeakersEthnologueISO 639-3
65AxambAhamb750
66LendamboiSmall Nambas, Letemboi800
67Nasvang275
68Sörsörian3
69Avok500, Avok
70UliveoMaskelynes1100, Maskelynes
71Port SandwichLamap1200
72NisvaiVetbon200
73BurmbarBanam Bay, Vartavo900
74Mbwenelang<10
75Aulua750
76NioleanRepanbitip90
77RerepPangkumu, Tisman380
78UnuaOnua520
79Vivti<5
80Nitita<5
81AvavaKatbol, Navava, Bangsa’700
82NeververLingarak, Nevwervwer1250
83LitzlitzNaman15
84UripivUripiv-Wala-Rano-Atchin, Northeast Malakula9000, Atchin, Uripiv
85Rutan?
86BotovroMpotovoro430
87Vao1900, Vao
88Alovas?
89Vovo475
90NeseMatanvat160
91Najit<5
92Malua BayMiddle Nambas500
93Njav10
94TiraxMae, Dirak1000
95V'ënen TautBig Nambas3350
96TapeMaragus15
97LarëvatLaravat, Larevat680
98Neve'eiVinmavis500
99Nivat<10
100Nasarian5
101AveteianDixon Reef50
102NindeLabo1100
103NahavaqSouth West Bay, Siesip700
104Nāti25
105Naha'aiMalvaxal, Malfaxal600
106Navwien5