Halia is an Austronesian language of Buka Island and the Selau Peninsula of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea.
Phonology The phonology of the Halia language:
Consonants LabialAlveolarPalatalVelarGlottalNasalPlosivevoicelessvoicedAffricate ~ FricativeLateralRhoticSemivowel
Vowels FrontCentralBackHighMid()Low
Diphthong vowel sounds include .
exists, but not as a monophthong.
Allophones PhonemeAllophones, , , , [ɛi],
Grammar
Pronouns There are four sets of pronouns. The first set functions as the subject when preceding the verb. Set 2 functions as a subject or object when following the verb. Set 3 is used for inalienable possession. Set 4 is used for alienable possession. There is an inclusive/exclusive first person distinction. +Pronoun12341SGalialia -ri tar2SGalölö -mulöi tamulö3SGnonei -en -neni tanen1PL (incl.)arara -rarai tarara1PL (excl.)alamlam -mulami tamulam2PLalimiulimiu -milimiui tamilimiu3PLnori -en -reni taren The suffix -e signifies a transitive verb.
Literature In the 1960s Francis Hagai produced a series of liturgies in Halia as part of his work with the Hahalis Welfare Society.
References
External links Written materials on Halia are available at Kaipuleohone under 'Selau'