The Central Vanuatu languages form a linkage of Southern Oceanic languages spoken in central Vanuatu.
Languages Clark (2009) Clark (2009) provides the following classification of the Central Vanuatu languages, divided into geographic areas. Outlier (aberrant) languages identified by Clark (2009) are in italics. Clark's Central Vanuatu branch is wider in scope, including not only the Shepherd–Efate languages, but also the Malakula and Ambrym–Paama–Epi languages.
Central Vanuatu Malakula languages Northeast Malakula (Uripiv), Vao, Vovo; Mpotovoro Dirak, Malua Bay V’ënen Taut, Tape Larevat, Neve’ei, Naman Navava, Nevwervwer Unua-Pangkumu Banam Bay, Aulua Lendamboi; Nasarian Axamb, Avok, Maskelynes, Port Sandwich Sinesip, Naha’ai; Ninde Ambrym–Paama–Epi area Ambrym Island: North Ambrym, West Ambrym, South Ambrym Paama Island: Southeast Ambrym, Paamese Epi Island: Lewo, Lamen, Bierebo, Baki Epi Island: Mkir, Bieria Shepherd–Efate area Shepherd Islands: Nakanamanga (Nguna); Namakir Efate Island: South Efate
François et al. (2015) The following list of 19 Central Vanuatu languages (excluding the Malakula languages) is from François et al. (2015:18–21).
No. Language Other names Speakers ISO 639-3 Region 107 North Ambrym 5250 mmg Ambrym 108 Orkon Fanbak 30 fnb Ambrym 109 Southeast Ambrym 3700 tvk Ambrym 110 Daakie Port Vato 1300 ptv Ambrym 111 Daakaka South Ambrym, Baiap 1200 bpa Ambrym 112 Dalkalaen 1000 Ambrym 113 Raljago West Ambrym, Lonwolwol <10 crc Ambrym 114 Paama Paamese 6000 paa Paama 115 Lamen Lamenu, Varmali 850 lmu Epi, Lamen 116 Lewo Varsu 2200 lww Epi 117 Bierebo Bonkovia-Yevali 900 bnk Epi 118 Baki Burumba, Paki 350 bki Epi 119 Mkir Maii 180 mmm Epi 120 Bieria Bieri, Vovo, Wowo 25 brj Epi 121 Namakura Makura, Namakir 3750 nmk Efate, Shepherd Islands (Tongoa, Tongariki) 123 Nakanamanga 9500 llp Efate, Shepherd Islands (Nguna, Tongoa) 124 Lelepa Havannah Harbour 400 lpa Efate, Lelepa 125 Eton 500 etn Efate 126 South Efate Erakor 6000 erk Efate
Additionally, the extinct Sowa language was formerly spoken in central Vanuatu.
References
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