Ontong Java language

Ontong Java
Luangiua
Native toSolomon Islands
RegionOntong Java Atoll
Native speakers
(2,400 cited 1999)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3ojv
Glottologonto1237

Ontong Java is a Polynesian language located on the Ontong Java Atoll (native name Luangiua, formerly Lord Howe atoll), in Solomon Islands. It has two dialects, Luangiua and Pelau; the name Luangiua 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.

Classification

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Ontong Java is closely related to the Ellicean languages of Polynesia and to Sikaiana, Takuu, and Nukumanu in Papua New Guinea.[4]

Phonology

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The phoneme inventory of this language is poorly studied, and many sources have conflicting phoneme inventories.[3]: 226 [5]

Consonants[3][6]
Labial Alveolar Velar Glottal
Nasal m ŋ
Plosive p k ʔ
Fricative v s h
Lateral l[note 1]
Vowels[3]
Front Central Back
High i u
Mid e o
Low a

An older source lists two additional vowels, /ɑ/ and /ə/.[5]

Grammar

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Ontong Java word order is normally VSO[4] and SVO.[7]

Notes

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  1. ^ This source says there is one liquid consonant (r / l), but does not specify which one.

References

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  1. ^ Ontong Java at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ^ "Luangiua". Glottolog. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  3. ^ a b c d Salmond, Anne (1974). A Generative Syntax of Luangiua: A Polynesian Language. The Hague, Netherlands: Mouton & Co. NV. pp. 256.
  4. ^ a b c "Ontong Java". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
  5. ^ a b Lanyon-Orgill, Peter A. (1944). A Study of the Leuangiua Language. The Hague, Netherlands: Luzac & Co. p. 24.
  6. ^ Krupa, Viktor (1973). Polynesian Languages: A Survey of Research. The Hague, Netherlands: Mouton & Co. NV. pp. 108.
  7. ^ Tomlin, Russell S. (2014-02-03). Basic Word Order (RLE Linguistics B: Grammar): Functional Principles. Routledge. ISBN 9781317933793.
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Further reading

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  • Thorpe, Mary Anne (1968). A Transformational-generative Syntax of Luangiua (Thesis). University of Auckland.
  • Hogbin, H. I. B. (1930). "Notes on a grammar of the language of Ontong Java". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. 5 (4): 823–853. doi:10.1017/S0041977X00090534.