Central Vanuatu languages
The Central Vanuatu languages form a linkage of Southern Oceanic languages spoken in central Vanuatu.
Languages
Clark (2009)
Clark provides the following classification of the Central Vanuatu languages, divided into geographic areas. Outlier languages identified by Clark are in italics. Clark's Central Vanuatu branch is wider in scope, including not only the Shepherd–Efate languages, but also the Malakula and Ambrym–Paama–Epi languages.- Central Vanuatu
- *Malakula languages
- **Northeast Malakula, Vao, Vovo; Mpotovoro
- **Dirak, Malua Bay
- **V’ënen Taut, Tape
- **Larevat, Neve’ei, Naman
- **Navava, Nevwervwer
- **Unua-Pangkumu
- **Banam Bay, Aulua
- **Lendamboi; Nasarian
- **Axamb, Avok, Maskelynes, Port Sandwich
- **Sinesip, Naha’ai; Ninde
- *Ambrym–Paama–Epi area
- **Ambrym Island: North Ambrym, West Ambrym, South Ambrym
- **Paama Island: Southeast Ambrym, Paamese
- **Epi Island: Lewo, Lamen, Bierebo, Baki
- **Epi Island: Mkir, Bieria
- *Shepherd–Efate area
- **Shepherd Islands: Nakanamanga ; Namakir
- **Efate Island: South Efate
François et al. (2015)
| No. | Language | Other names | Speakers | ISO 639-3 | Region |
| 107 | North Ambrym | 5250 | mmg | Ambrym | |
| 108 | Orkon | Fanbak | 30 | fnb | Ambrym |
| 109 | Southeast Ambrym | 3700 | tvk | Ambrym | |
| 110 | Daakie | Port Vato | 1300 | ptv | Ambrym |
| 111 | Daakaka | South Ambrym, Baiap | 1200 | bpa | Ambrym |
| 112 | Dalkalaen | 1000 | Ambrym | ||
| 113 | Raljago | West Ambrym, Lonwolwol | <10 | crc | Ambrym |
| 114 | Paama | Paamese | 6000 | paa | Paama |
| 115 | Lamen | Lamenu, Varmali | 850 | lmu | Epi, Lamen |
| 116 | Lewo | Varsu | 2200 | lww | Epi |
| 117 | Bierebo | Bonkovia-Yevali | 900 | bnk | Epi |
| 118 | Baki | Burumba, Paki | 350 | bki | Epi |
| 119 | Mkir | Maii | 180 | mmm | Epi |
| 120 | Bieria | Bieri, Vovo, Wowo | 25 | brj | Epi |
| 121 | Namakura | Makura, Namakir | 3750 | nmk | Efate, Shepherd Islands |
| 123 | Nakanamanga | 9500 | llp | Efate, Shepherd Islands | |
| 124 | Lelepa | Havannah Harbour | 400 | lpa | Efate, Lelepa |
| 125 | Eton | 500 | etn | Efate | |
| 126 | South Efate | Erakor | 6000 | erk | Efate |
Additionally, the extinct Sowa language was formerly spoken in central Vanuatu.