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