Malua Bay language

Malua Bay is an Oceanic language spoken in northwest Malekula, Vanuatu. It has two main dialects: one spoken in Malua [Bay, Vanuatu|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.