Malua Bay language

Malua Bay is an Oceanic language spoken in northwest Malekula, Vanuatu. It has two main dialects: one spoken in Malua Bay and the other spoken in Espiegles Bay.

Classification

Malua, as an Oceanic language, belongs to the Austronesian language family. Furthermore, it belongs to the Malekula grouping within the Central [Vanuatu languages|Central Vanuatu] subgroup, along with Nese, Botovro, Vovo, Vao, and others.

Community

Malua is mainly spoken in Malua and Espiegles Bay, with a small amount of speakers in Port Vila. The majority of speakers are bilingual in Bislama, English, or French.

Grammar

Malua contains a distinction between Alienable and [inalienable possession|alienable] and inalienable possession. Verbal predicates are marked for either realis or irrealis mood. It also exhibits nominative-accusative alignment.