Meso Melanesian languages

Updated on Nov 06, 2023

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Glottolog: meso1253

Geographic distribution: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands Linguistic classification: Austronesian Malayo-Polynesian Oceanic Western Oceanic Meso-Melanesian

The Meso-Melanesian languages are a linkage of Oceanic languages spoken in the large Melanesian islands of New Ireland and the Solomon Islands east of New Guinea.

Composition

The languages group as follows:

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

Meso-Melanesian languages Wikipedia

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