The Central Vanuatu languages form a linkage of Southern Oceanic languages spoken in central Vanuatu.

Languages

Clark (2009)

Clark (2009) provides the following classification of the Central Vanuatu languages, divided into geographic areas.[1] Outlier (aberrant) languages identified by Clark (2009) are in italics. Clark's Central Vanuatu branch is wider in scope, including not only the Shepherd–Efate languages, but also the Malakula and Ambrym–Paama–Epi languages.

• Central Vanuatu
  • Malakula languages
    • Northeast Malakula (Uripiv), Vao, Vovo; Mpotovoro
    • Dirak, Malua Bay
    • V’ënen Taut, Tape
    • Larevat, Neve’ei, Naman
    • Navava, Nevwervwer
    • Unua-Pangkumu
    • Banam Bay, Aulua
    • Lendamboi; Nasarian
    • Axamb, Avok, Maskelynes, Port Sandwich
    • Sinesip, Naha’ai; Ninde
  • Ambrym–Paama–Epi area
    • Ambrym Island: North Ambrym, West Ambrym, South Ambrym
    • Paama Island: Southeast Ambrym, Paamese
    • Epi Island: Lewo, Lamen, Bierebo, Baki
    • Epi Island: Mkir, Bieria
  • Shepherd–Efate area
    • Shepherd Islands: Nakanamanga (Nguna); Namakir
    • Efate Island: South Efate

François (2015)

The following list of 19 Central Vanuatu languages (excluding the Malakula languages) is from François (2015:18-21).

Additionally, the extinct Sowa language was formerly spoken in central Vanuatu.

References

• François, Alexandre; Franjieh, Michael; Lacrampe, Sébastien; Schnell, Stefan (2015), "The exceptional linguistic density of Vanuatu" (PDF), in François, Alexandre; Lacrampe, Sébastien; Franjieh, Michael; Schnell, Stefan (eds.), The Languages of Vanuatu: Unity and Diversity, Studies in the Languages of Island Melanesia, Canberra: Asia Pacific Linguistics Open Access, pp. 1–21, ISBN 9781922185235.