Halia language


Halia is an Austronesian language of Buka Island and the Selau Peninsula of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea.

Phonology

The phonology of the Halia language:

Vowels

Diphthong vowel sounds include.
exists, but not as a monophthong.

Grammar

Pronouns

There are four sets of pronouns. The first set functions as the subject when preceding the verb. Set 2 functions as a subject or object when following the verb. Set 3 is used for inalienable possession. Set 4 is used for alienable possession. There is an inclusive/exclusive first person distinction.
Pronoun1234
1SGalialia-ri tar
2SGalö-mulöi tamulö
3SGnonei-en-neni tanen
1PL arara-rarai tarara
1PL alamlam-mulami tamulam
2PLalimiulimiu-milimiui tamilimiu
3PLnori-en-reni taren

The suffix -e signifies a transitive verb.

Literature

In the 1960s Francis Hagai produced a series of liturgies in Halia as part of his work with the Hahalis Welfare Society.