| Southeast Solomonic | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution | EasternSolomon Islands |
| Linguistic classification | Austronesian
|
| Proto-language | Proto-Southeast Solomonic |
| Subdivisions |
|
| Language codes | |
| Glottolog | sout2853 |
 Southeast Solomons | |
Thefamily ofSoutheast Solomonic languages forms a branch of theOceanic languages. It consists of some 26 languages covering the EasternSolomon Islands, from the tip ofSanta Isabel toMakira. It is defined by the merger ofProto-Oceanic*l and*R. The fact that there is little diversity amongst these languages, compared to groups of similar size inMelanesia, suggests that they dispersed in the relatively recent past.[1]Bugotu,Gela andLengo are three of the most conservative languages out of all of them.
According to Lynch, Ross, & Crowley (2002), the structure of the family is as follows:[2]
Basic vocabulary in many Southeast Solomonic languages is somewhat conservative, unlikeNorthwest Solomonic forms, many of which have noProto-Oceanic cognates.[3] Below,Lengo andArosi are compared with threeNorthwest Solomonic languages. Aberrant forms are in bold.
| English | arm | ear | liver | bone | skin | louse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proto-Oceanic | *lima | *taliŋa | *qate | *suRi | *kulit | *kutu |
| Ririo | karisi | ŋgel | tutuen | punda | kapat | utu |
| Zabana | kame | taliŋa | kola | huma | kafu | gutu |
| Maringe | lima | khuli | khebu | knubra | guli | theli |
| Lengo | lima | kuli | ate | thuli | ghui-ghuli | ghutu |
| Arosi | rima | kariŋa | rogo | su-suri | ʔuri-ʔuri | kote |