1 Western Melanesian languages, language families, and endangerement levels [This draft research document was compiled based on various sources by Dr. Gregory Anderson for the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages. Do not cite without permission. Contact: [email protected]] Summary 504 languages – 5 Creoles = 499 languages counted GI (Genetic Diversity Index) 499 languages / 48 language families = .096 EI (Endangerment Index) = 2124/504 = 4.21 low Number Language name Genetic (phylum, family) affiliation Endanger- Research Country / Countries of ment Index Index where spoken Speakers (1 to 5 scale) 1 Laua TNG >> E > C/SE > Mailuan 1 Papua New Guinea 1? Aore AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 1 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 4 Zire AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > S 1 New Caledonia 6 Ura AN >> C/E Oceanic > S Vanuatu > Erromanga 1 Vanuatu 7 Kamasa TNG >> C/W > Angan 1 Papua New Guinea 7 Makolkol E. Pap > YS-NB > New Britain 1 Papua New Guinea < 8 Araki AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 1 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 10 Asumboa AN >>> CE Oc. >> E Outer Islands 1 Solomon Islands 10 Sene TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 1 Papua New Guinea 10 Susuami TNG >> C/W > Angan 1 Papua New Guinea 10 Zazao AN >>> W.Oc. >> New Ireland 1 Solomon Islands < 10 Maragus AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 1 Vanuatu Interior 12 Kawacha TNG >> C/W > Angan 1 Papua New Guinea 15 Laghu AN >>> W.Oc. >> New Ireland 1 Solomon Islands 15 Tanimbili AN >>> CE Oc. >> E Outer Islands 1 Solomon Islands 16 Pwapwa AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > N 1 New Caledonia < 20 Nasarian AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 1 Vanuatu Interior < 20 Sowa AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 1.5 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 24 Teanu AN >>> CE Oc. >> E Outer Islands 1 Solomon Islands 25 Turaka TNG >> E > C/SE > Dagan 1 Papua New Guinea 26 Gweda AN >>> W.Oc. >>>N. Pap Mainland- 1 Papua New Guinea D’Entrecasteaux 30 Tenis AN >> Oceanic > St. Matthias 1 Papua New Guinea 35 Arhâ AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > S 1 New Caledonia 38 Oroha AN >>> CE Oc. > SE Sol 1 Solomon Islands < 50 Dixon Reef AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 2.5 Vanuatu Interior < 50 Mafea AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 2 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 50 Tambotalo AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 2.5 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 62 Arhö AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > S 1 New Caledonia 70 Vehes AN >>> W.Oc. >> Huon Gulf 3.5 Papua New Guinea 79 Ririo AN >>> W.Oc. >> New Ireland 3 Solomon Islands 2 80 Som TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 4 Papua New Guinea < 90 Lehalurup AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 2.5 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 90 Repanbitip AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 2.5 Vanuatu Interior 100 Magori AN >>> W.Oc. >>>Papuan Tip Peripheral 1 Papua New Guinea 100 Piu AN >>> W.Oc. >> Huon Gulf 3.5 Papua New Guinea <100 Haeke AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > 1 New Caledonia Haeke < 100 Maii AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 2.5 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 100 Wailapa AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 2.5 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 105 Koro AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 2.5 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 120 Mwatebu AN >>> W.Oc. >>>N. Pap Mainland- 2.5 Papua New Guinea D’Entrecasteaux 120 Papapana AN >>> W.Oc. >> New Ireland 3.5 Papua New Guinea 120 Wab AN >>> W.Oc. >> Ngero-Vitiaz 3.5 Papua New Guinea 120 Hiw AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 131 Guya TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 3.5 Papua New Guinea 137 Munkip TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 3.5 Papua New Guinea 144 Label AN >>> W.Oc. >> New Ireland 3 Papua New Guinea 150 Onjob TNG >> E > C/SE > Dagan 3 Papua New Guinea < 150 Vamale AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > N 3 New Caledonia 150 Amblong AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/Banks Islands 150 Fortsenal AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 150 Larevat AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 3 Vanuatu Interior < 150 Lehali AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 150 Morouas AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 150 Piamatsina AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 150 Roria AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 150 Tasmate AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 150 Tiale AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 150 Tutuba AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 2 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 157 Nafi AN >>> W.Oc. >> Huon Gulf 3.5 Papua New Guinea 157 Wetamut AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 160 Narango AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 160 Nokuku AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 2.5 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 161 Pije AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > N 3.5 New Caledonia 170 Bieria-Vovo AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 2.5 Vanuatu 3 Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 170 Wusi AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 175 Bonkiman TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 3.5 Papua New Guinea 180 Marino AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 4 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 180 Mpotovoro AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 190 Nawaru TNG >> E > C/SE > Yareban 3 Papua New Guinea 190 Tanema AN >>> CE Oc. >> E Outer Islands 2 Solomon Islands 198 Mamaa TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 3.5 Papua New Guinea 200 Doga AN >>> W.Oc. >>>N. Pap Mainland- 2 Papua New Guinea D’Entrecasteaux 200 Musom AN >>> W.Oc. >>> Markham 3.5 Papua New Guinea 200 Weliki TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 3 Papua New Guinea < 200 Baki AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 200 Emae AN >>>> East Fijian-Polynesian 3 Vanuatu < 200 Shark Bay AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > E Santo 2 Vanuatu 210 Nanggu E. Pap > Reefs Island-Santa Cruz 3.5 Solomon Islands 210 Lingarak AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 3 Vanuatu Interior 210 Vinmavis AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 3 Vanuatu Interior 219 Kinalakna TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 3.5 Papua New Guinea 219 Pwaamei AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > N 3.5 New Caledonia 221 Neku AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > S 4 New Caledonia < 225 Polonombauk AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > E Santo 2 Vanuatu 250 South West Bay AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 264 Tiri AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > S 4 New Caledonia 267 Anuta AN >>> CE Oc. >> Polynesian 4 Solomon Islands 267 Doghoro TNG >> E > Binanderean 4 Papua New Guinea 270 Numbami AN >>> W.Oc. >> Huon Gulf 3.5 Papua New Guinea 271 Lemio TNG > M-AR > Madang 3.5 Papua New Guinea 274 Mapena TNG >> E > C/SE > Dagan 4 Papua New Guinea 283 Forak TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 3.5 Papua New Guinea 283 Yagomi TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 3.5 Papua New Guinea 300 Lantanai E. Pap > Bougainville > E 3 Papua New Guinea 300 Bwatoo AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > N 3.5 New Caledonia 300 Haveke AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > N 4 New Caledonia 300 Hmwaveke AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > N 4 New Caledonia 300 Mea AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > S 4 New Caledonia 300 Aulua AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 300 Lakona AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 300 Malua Bay AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands < 300 Seke AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 300 Valpei AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 305 Letemboi AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 3 Vanuatu Interior 4 309 Budibud AN >>> W.Oc. >>>Papuan Tip Peripheral 3.5 Papua New Guinea 315 Toga AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 325 Nemi AN >>> Remote Oceanic > New Caledonian > N 4 New Caledonia 329 Gabutamon TNG >> C/W > Huon-Finisterre 4 Papua New Guinea 330 Litzlitz AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 3 Vanuatu Interior 335 Toura AN >>> W.Oc. >>>Papuan Tip Peripheral 3.5 Papua New Guinea < 335 Lorediakarkar AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > E Santo 2 Vanuatu 350 Labo AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 3 Vanuatu Interior 350 Central Maewo AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 360 Kaninuwa AN >>> W.Oc. >>>N. Pap Mainland- 2 Papua New Guinea D’Entrecasteaux 367 Oya’oya AN >>> W.Oc. >>>Papuan Tip Nuclear 3.5 Papua New Guinea 374 Apalik AN >>> W.Oc. >> Ngero-Vitiaz 4 Papua New Guinea < 375 Rerep AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 375 Vunapu AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 387 Simbali E. Pap > YS-NB > New Britain 4 Papua New Guinea 398 Bauwaki TNG >> E > C/SE > Mailuan 3.5 Papua New Guinea 398 Duwet AN >>> W.Oc. >>> Markham 4 Papua New Guinea 400 Lelepa AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 5 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 400 Merei AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 400 Mosina AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 5 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 450 Bierebo AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 450 Katbol AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > Malekula 3 Vanuatu Interior 450 Mota AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 450 Nume AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 450 Tolomako AN >>> Remote Oceanic > N/C Van > NE 3 Vanuatu Vanuatu/ Banks Islands 456 Bariji TNG << E > C/SE > Yareban 5 Papua New Guinea 459 Hoava AN >>> W.Oc.