Meso-Melanesian languages

The Meso-Melanesian languages are a linkage of Oceanic languages spoken in the large Melanesian islands of New Ireland and the Solomon Islands east of New Guinea. Bali is one of the most conservative languages.

Composition

The languages group as follows:

Willaumez linkage: Bola, Bulu, Meramera, Nakanai
Bali–Vitu: Bali, Vitu
New Ireland – Northwest Solomonic linkage
*Tungag–Nalik family: Tigak, Tungag, Nalik, Laxudumau, Kara, Tiang
*Tabar linkage: Madara, Lihir, Notsi
*Madak linkage: Barok, Lavatbura-Lamusong, Madak
*Tomoip
*St [George linkage]
**Niwer Mil
**Warwar Feni
**Fanamaket
**Sursurunga
**Konomala
**Patpatar–Tolai: Patpatar, Lungalunga, Tolai
**Label–Bilur: Label, Bilur
**Kandas–Ramoaaina: Kandas, Ramoaaina
**Siar
**Northwest [Solomonic languages|Northwest Solomonic] linkage

Ethnologue adds Guramalum to the St George linkage.
The Willaumez Peninsula on the north coast of New Britain was evidently the center of dispersal.
Johnston combines the Willaumez and Bali–Vitu branches into a single Kimbe branch, for which he reconstructs Proto-Kimbe.

Language contact

Lenition in Lamasong, Madak, Barok, Nalik, and Kara may have diffused via influence from Kuot, the only non-Austronesian language spoken on New Ireland.