| Espiritu Santo | |
|---|---|
| Santo | |
| Geographic distribution | Espiritu Santo Island in northernVanuatu |
| Linguistic classification | Austronesian
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
| Glottolog | espi1234 |
TheEspiritu Santo languages (alternativelySanto languages) are a group ofNorth Vanuatu languages spoken onEspiritu Santo Island in northernVanuatu.Tryon (2010) considers the Espiritu Santo languages to be a coherent group.[1]
Two lists of Espiritu Santo languages from Tryon (2010) and François (2015) are provided below.
Tryon (2010) recognizes 33 living languages and 2 extinct languages. They are:[1]
| Language | Speakers | Area | Villages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valpei (Tavanlav) | 300 | North-West Santo | Wunpuko, Valpei, Petani, Matalip, Pwar, Molpoe, Hakua, Maroa, Pwat, Pwatmwel (Onmwertev), Mwalovuko, Wunapak |
| Nokuku (Vevatot) | 250 | North-West Santo | Olpoe, Nokuku, Lajmoli, Vunon, Penaoru, Petawota |
| 'Oa | 300 | North-West Santo | Tasmate, Sulesal, Vasalea |
| Vunapu | 250? | North-West Santo | Vunapu, Pesena |
| Piamatsina | 250? | North-West Santo | Piamatsina, Piamaeto, Peavot |
| Tolomako (Big Bay) | 900 | North-West Santo | Jureviu, Tuturu, Tavunamalo, Peavot, Vasi, Pialulup, Matantas |
| Kula | 350 | West Santo | Wusi, Kerepua, Elia 1 |
| Bura | 300 | West Santo | Linduri, Putonro, Saktui, Maram, Patiare, Mapten, Nukupospos |
| Kene | 300 | West Santo | Vuimele, Navura, Papaisale, Arumalate, Latavoa, Pilipili, Lepurpuri, Potlavaisevu |
| Akei | 4000 | West Santo | Toramaori, Lalaolo, Tovotovo, Kerevinumbu, Tasiriki, Ukoro, Malovira, Tasmalum |
| Daruru | 100? | West Santo | Pelmol |
| Retlatur | 100 | South Santo | Tanovusivusi |
| Ale | 500 | South Santo | Fimele, Wailapa |
| Aje | 10 | South Santo | Patunmevu, Nambaka, Wunamoli |
| Ande | 500 | South Santo | Tanmet, Lotunai, Ipayato, Tasmalum, Morouas |
| Araki | 10 | South Santo | Araki Island |
| Movono | 370 | South Santo | Tangoa Island |
| Farsav | 400 | South Santo | Nambel, Tanovoli, Narango, Funafosi, Nambauk |
| Tiale /Merei | 400 | Central Santo | Tavuimoli, Nazaraka, Mataipevu, Patuitano, Morokari, Angoru, Tombet, Navele, Vusvogo |
| Kiai | 450 | Central Santo | Wailapa, Fortsenale, Namoru |
| Ko /Mores (Farmores) | 200? | Central Santo | Tanmet, Lemben, Tsarailan, Namafun, Patmarifu, Sarete, Mavunlif |
| Moiso | 100 | Central Santo | Moriuli |
| Toksiki /Soisoru | 200 | Central Santo | Morkriv, Pilnuri, Bengie |
| Tamambo | 4000 | East Santo | Malo |
| Aore | extinct | East Santo | Aore |
| Biliru | 3 | East Santo | Tambotalo, Belnatsa, Beleru, Belembut, Lambue |
| Farafi | 300? | East Santo | Butmas, Tur, Maniok, Shark Bay, Naturuk |
| Ngen | 250 | East Santo | Vanafo (Tanafo), Mon Exil, Palon, Shark Bay |
| Ati (Meris /Miris) | 85 | East Santo | Fumbak, Naturuk, Nambauk |
| Se | 20 | East Santo | Vanafo, Butmas |
| Atin (Farnanatin) | 120 | East Santo | Nambauk (Patunfarambu), Fumatal |
| Farnanto | 100 | East Santo | Nambauk, Tanmet, Tafua |
| Mavea (Lonavu) | 500 | East Santo | Mavea, Aissi, Tutuba |
| Nethalp | extinct | East Santo | Lorediakarkar |
| Nekep | 4000 | East Santo | Hog Harbour, Port Olry, Kole 1 |
The following list of 38 Espiritu Santo languages is fromAlexandre François (2015:18-21).
John Lynch (2019)[2] proposes the following classification scheme for the Espiritu Santo languages, with the development of bilabial consonants tolinguolabials as the primary marker of the "Nuclear Santo" group: