| Ontong Java | |
|---|---|
| Luangiua | |
| Native to | Solomon Islands |
| Region | Ontong Java Atoll |
Native speakers | (2,400 cited 1999)[1] |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | ojv |
| Glottolog | onto1237 |
Ontong Java is aPolynesian language spoken on theOntong Java Atoll inSolomon Islands. Itsdialects—Luangiua and Pelau—are named after the two principal inhabited islands; the nameLuangiua 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 theEllicean languages of Polynesia and toSikaiana,Takuu, andNukumanu 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 Javaword order is normally VSO[4] andSVO.[7]
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