Malakula languages

The Malakula languages are a group of Central Vanuatu languages spoken on Malakula Island in central Vanuatu. Unlike some earlier classifications, linguist and Oceanic languages specialist John Lynch (2016) considered the Malakula languages to form a coherent group.

Features
One distinctive feature of the Malakula languages is the pervasive loss of unstressed syllables. However, according to Lynch (2014), the innovation occurred after Proto-Malakula broke up, and may have occurred on at least seven different independent occasions.

Classification
Lynch (2016) divides the Malakula languages into three primary subgroups, namely Northern, Eastern, and Western, all three of which are linkages. Lynch (2016) recognizes 32 languages.


 * Malakula
 * Northern
 * Malua Bay
 * North Coast
 * Nese
 * Botovro
 * Vovo, Vao
 * Eastern
 * Uripiv
 * Unua
 * Aulua
 * Banam Bay
 * Southeastern
 * Bwenelang
 * Nasvang, Nisvai
 * Port Sandwich, Avok, Axamb
 * Maskelynes
 * Western
 * Central Western
 * Neve'ei
 * Larëvat
 * Naman
 * Peripheral Western
 * Ninde
 * Nāti
 * Northwestern
 * V'ënen Taut
 * Tape
 * Tirax
 * Southwestern
 * Lendamboi
 * Aveteian
 * Navwien
 * Avava
 * Nasarian
 * Naha'ai, Nahavaq

The Central-Western linkage is only very weakly defined, while Ninde and Nāti have similarities with both the Northwestern and Southwestern linkages.

The positions of the Sörsörian, Rerep, Vivti, and Nitita languages were not addressed.

Languages
François (2015:18-21) lists the following 42 Malakula languages.