Central Vanuatu languages
The Central Vanuatu languages form a linkage of Southern [Oceanic languages] spoken in central Vanuatu.
Languages
Clark (2009)
Clark provides the following classification of the Central Vanuatu languages, divided into geographic areas. Outlier languages identified by Clark are in italics. Clark's Central Vanuatu branch is wider in scope, including not only the Shepherd–Efate languages, but also the Malakula and Ambrym–Paama–Epi languages.- Central Vanuatu
- *Malakula languages
- **Malakula language|Northeast Malakula], Vao, Vovo; Mpotovoro
- **Dirak, Malua Bay
- **V'ënen [Taut language|V’ënen Taut], Tape
- **Larevat, Neve’ei, Naman
- **Navava, Nevwervwer
- **Unua-Pangkumu
- **Banam Bay, Aulua
- **Lendamboi; Nasarian
- **Axamb, Avok, Maskelynes, Port Sandwich
- **Sinesip, Naha’ai; Ninde
- *Ambrym–Paama–Epi area
- **Ambrym Island: North [Ambrym language|North Ambrym], West Ambrym, South Ambrym
- **Paama Island: Southeast Ambrym, Paamese
- **Epi Island: Lewo, Lamen, Bierebo, Baki
- **Epi Island: Mkir, Bieria
- *Shepherd–Efate area
- **Shepherd Islands: Nakanamanga ; Namakir
- **Efate Island: South [Efate language|South Efate]
François et al. (2015)
| No. | Language | Other names | Speakers | ISO 639-3 | Region |
| 107 | North Ambrym | 5250 | mmg | Ambrym | |
| 108 | Orkon | Fanbak | 30 | fnb | Ambrym |
| 109 | Southeast Ambrym | 3700 | tvk | Ambrym | |
| 110 | Daakie | Port [Vato language|Port Vato] | 1300 | ptv | Ambrym |
| 111 | Daakaka | South Ambrym, Baiap | 1200 | bpa | Ambrym |
| 112 | Dalkalaen | 1000 | Ambrym | ||
| 113 | Raljago | West Ambrym, Lonwolwol | <10 | crc | Ambrym |
| 114 | Paama | Paamese | 6000 | paa | Paama |
| 115 | Lamen | Lamenu, Varmali | 850 | lmu | Epi, Lamen |
| 116 | Lewo | Varsu | 2200 | lww | Epi |
| 117 | Bierebo | Bonkovia-Yevali | 900 | bnk | Epi |
| 118 | Baki | Burumba, Paki | 350 | bki | Epi |
| 119 | Mkir | Maii | 180 | mmm | Epi |
| 120 | Bieria | Bieri, Vovo, Wowo | 25 | brj | Epi |
| 121 | Namakura | Makura, Namakir | 3750 | nmk | Efate, Shepherd Islands |
| 123 | Nakanamanga | 9500 | llp | Efate, Shepherd Islands | |
| 124 | Lelepa | Havannah [Harbour language|Havannah Harbour] | 400 | lpa | Efate, Lelepa |
| 125 | Eton | 500 | etn | Efate | |
| 126 | South Efate | Erakor | 6000 | erk | Efate |
Additionally, the extinct Sowa language was formerly spoken in central Vanuatu.