Gela language
Gela, also known as Nggela and formerly as Florida, is an Oceanic language spoken in the Nggela Islands, in the middle of the Solomon Islands. It belongs to the Southeast [Solomonic languages|Southeast Solomonic] group of the Oceanic family.
Towards the end of the 19th century, Gela was used by the Melanesian Mission of the Anglican [Church of Melanesia], as a language of Christianisation ‒ along with Mota, a language of the Banks islands of northern Vanuatu. The first translation of the scriptures in Gela was published in 1882.
Dialects
The three dialects of Gela are very similar, differing mainly on a small number of phonological points.Phonology
Phonemes
Consonants
Gela has the following consonant phonemes:The fricative /z/ is realized as in alternation with a retroflex sibilant , initially before /a/.
The Gela dominant voiced is "h" not "z". "Z" is found in Savosavo language speakers who also speak Gela - primarily due to their use of the Church of Melanesia Common Prayer Books and Hymns.