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.
Ontong Java is commonly used by all speakers, young and old. There are approximately 2,370 residents of Ontong Java Atoll and has an estimated 2,400 speakers living on the atoll.
Classification
Ontong Java is closely related to the Ellicean languages of Polynesia and to Sikaiana, Takuu, and Nukumanu in Papua New Guinea.
Phonology
The phoneme inventory of this language is poorly studied, and many sources have conflicting phoneme inventories.: 226
An older source lists two additional vowels, /ɑ/ and /ə/.
Grammar
Ontong Java word order is normally VSO and SVO.
Notes
References
- Mugler, France; Lynch, John (1996). Pacific Languages in Education. editorips@usp.ac.fj. ISBN 9789820201231.
External links
- Materials on Ontong Java are included in the open access Arthur Capell collections (AC1 and AC2) held by Paradisec.
Further reading
- 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.
