Jump to content

Epi languages

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Epi
Api
Geographic
distribution
East Vanuatu, Epi Island
Linguistic classificationAustronesian
Proto-languageProto-Epi
Language codes
Glottologepii1237

The half dozen Epi languages are spoken on Epi Island in Vanuatu.

The population of Epi Island was over 14,000 before being reduced to 800 in the early 20th century due to economic exploitation and introduced disease.[1] As of 2001, the population of these languages had climbed back to 4,400.

Languages

[edit]

The languages are:[2]

  • Baki–Bierebo: Baki (Burumba), Bierebo (Bonkovia-Yevali)
  • Bieria–Maii: Bieria (Vovo), Maii (Mkir)
  • Lamen–Lewo: Lamen (Lamenu, Varmali), Lewo (Varsu)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lamenu language at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forke, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin; Bank, Sebastian, eds. (2020). "Epi". Glottolog 4.3.