Nume language

Last updated
Nume
Tarasag, Gog
Native to Vanuatu
Region Gaua
Native speakers
700 (2012) [1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3 tgs
Glottolog nume1241
ELP Nume

Nume (also called Gog and Tarasag) is an Oceanic language spoken on Gaua island in Vanuatu. Its 700 speakers live on the northeast coast of Gaua. [1]

Contents

Nume is a distinct language from its immediate southern neighbors, Mwerlap and Dorig. [2]

Names

The name Nume originates in the name of a village, now abandoned. Tarasag is currently the community's main village. The alternate name Gog refers to the broader area, and by extension, to the island.

Phonology

Nume has 15 consonant phonemes. [3]

Consonants
Labiovelar Bilabial Alveolar Dorsal
Voiceless stop k͡p ʷ ⟨q⟩ t ⟨t⟩ k ⟨k⟩
Prenasalized stop ᵐb ⟨b⟩ ⁿd ⟨d⟩
Fricative β ⟨v⟩ s ⟨s⟩ ɣ ⟨g⟩
Nasal ŋ͡m ʷ ⟨m̄⟩ m ⟨m⟩ n ⟨n⟩ ŋ ⟨n̄⟩
Rhotic r ⟨r⟩
Lateral l ⟨l⟩
Approximant w ⟨w⟩

Nume has 7 phonemic vowels, which are all short monophthongs. [4]

Vowels
Front Back
Close i ⟨i⟩ u ⟨u⟩
Near-close ɪ ⟨ē⟩ ʊ ⟨ō⟩
Open-mid ɛ ⟨e⟩ ɔ ⟨o⟩
Open a ⟨a⟩

Grammar

The system of personal pronouns in Nume contrasts clusivity, and distinguishes four numbers (singular, dual, trial, plural). [5]

Spatial reference in Nume is based on a system of geocentric (absolute) directionals, which is typical of Oceanic languages. [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 François (2012): 88).
  2. ↑ List of Banks islands languages.
  3. ↑ François 2022.
  4. ↑ François (2005a): 445).
  5. ↑ François (2016).
  6. ↑ François (2015).

Bibliography


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