Meso-Melanesian languages
In today's world, Meso-Melanesian languages is a topic or person that has gained great relevance due to its impactful repercussions in various areas of society. Whether on a political, social, economic or cultural level, Meso-Melanesian languages has captured the attention of experts and citizens alike, generating an intense debate around it. Its influence extends globally, causing significant changes that affect millions of people around the world. As Meso-Melanesian languages continues to be the subject of interest and research, it is crucial to analyze its implications and consequences in detail to better understand its importance today. In this article, we will delve into the Meso-Melanesian languages phenomenon, exploring its origins, evolution, and future projections to shed light on its true meaning and scope.
| Meso-Melanesian | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution | Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands |
| Linguistic classification | Austronesian
|
| Proto-language | Proto-Meso-Melanesian |
| Glottolog | meso1253 |
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. Bali is one of the most conservative languages.
Composition
The languages group as follows:
- Willaumez linkage: Bola, Bulu, Meramera, Nakanai
- Bali–Vitu: Bali (Uneapa), Vitu (Muduapa)
- 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
- Niwer Mil
- Warwar Feni
- Fanamaket
- 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.
Johnston (1982) combines the Willaumez and Bali–Vitu branches into a single Kimbe branch, for which he reconstructs Proto-Kimbe.
Language contact
Lenition in Lamasong, Madak, Barok, Nalik, and Kara may have diffused via influence from Kuot, the only non-Austronesian language spoken on New Ireland (Ross 1994: 566).
References
- ^ Lynch, John; Malcolm Ross; Terry Crowley (2002). The Oceanic languages. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon. ISBN 9780700711284. OCLC 48929366.
- ^ Johnston, R.L. 1982. "Proto-Kimbe and the New Guinea Oceanic hypothesis". In Halim, A., Carrington, L. and Wurm, S.A. editors. Papers from the Third International Conference on Austronesian Linguistics, Vol. 1: Currents in Oceanic, 59–95. doi:10.15144/PL-C74.59
- ^ Ross, Malcolm. 1994. Areal phonological features in north central New Ireland. In: Dutton and Tryon (eds.) Language contact and change in the Austronesian world, 551–572. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.