Ontong Java | |
---|---|
Luangiua | |
Native to | Solomon Islands |
Region | Ontong Java Atoll |
Native speakers | (2,400 cited 1999) [1] |
Austronesian
| |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | ojv |
Glottolog | onto1237 |
Ontong Java is a Polynesian language located on the Ontong Java Atoll (native name Luangiua, formerly Lord Howe atoll), in Solomon Islands. It has two dialects, Luangiua and Pelau; the name Luangiua is also commonly used to refer to the Ontong Java language as a whole. [2] [3]
Ontong Java is commonly used by all speakers, young and old. There are approximately 2,370 residents [4] of Ontong Java Atoll and has an estimated 2,400 speakers living on the atoll.
Ontong Java is closely related to the Ellicean languages of Polynesia and to Sikaiana, Takuu, and Nukumanu in Papua New Guinea. [4]
The phoneme inventory of this language is poorly studied, and many sources have conflicting phoneme inventories. [3] : 226 [5]
Labial | Alveolar | Velar | Glottal | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nasal | m | ŋ | ||
Plosive | p | k | ʔ | |
Fricative | v | s | h | |
Lateral | l [note 1] |
Front | Central | Back | |
---|---|---|---|
High | i | u | |
Mid | e | o | |
Low | a |
An older source lists two additional vowels, /ɑ/ and /ə/. [5]
Ontong Java word order is normally VSO [4] and SVO. [7]
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