Meso-Melanesian languages

Meso-Melanesian
Meso-Melanesian
Geographic; distribution	Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
Linguistic classification	Austronesian Malayo-Polynesian Oceanic Western Oceanic Meso-Melanesian; ; ; ;
Language codes
Glottolog	meso1253

The Meso-Melanesian languages are a moderately supported group 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:^[1]

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

^ Lynch, John (2002). The Oceanic languages. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon. ISBN 9780700711284. OCLC 48929366. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[1] Lynch, John (2002). The Oceanic languages. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon. ISBN 9780700711284. OCLC 48929366. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[1]