Lemerig | |
---|---|
Pak, Päk, Sasar | |
Pronunciation | [lɪmɪˈriɣ] |
Native to | Vanuatu |
Region | Vanua Lava |
Native speakers | 2 (2010) [1] |
Dialects | Alo-Teqel, Pak, Sasar |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 |
lrz |
Glottolog |
leme1238 |
ELP | Lemerig |
Lemerig is classified as Critically Endangered by the
UNESCO
Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger |
Lemerig is an Oceanic language spoken on Vanua Lava, in Vanuatu.
Lemerig is no longer actively spoken. The 2 remaining speakers live on the northern coast of the island. [2] The language has receded in favour of its neighbours Mwotlap and Vera'a. [1]
The name Lemerig /lemeriɣ/ refers to a now abandoned village in northern Vanua Lava in Mota, corresponding to the native name Lēmērig (/lɪmɪˈriɣ/). Its name in Mwotlap is Lemyig [lɛmˈjiɣ]. It comes from Proto-Torres-Banks *lemeriɣi, where the *riɣi component likely means "small".
Lemerig has sometimes been referred to using the names of its local varieties: Päk; [3] Sasar; Alo-Teqel.
Judging from wordlists published by missionary and linguist Robert Codrington, [4] these three varieties were very close to each other. The little differences there were went extinct during the 20th century.
Lemerig has 11 phonemic vowels. These are all short monophthongs /i ɪ ɛ æ a œ ø ɒ̝ ɔ ʊ u/. [5] [6]
Front | Back | ||
---|---|---|---|
plain | round | ||
Close | i ⟨i⟩ | u ⟨u⟩ | |
Near-close | ɪ ⟨ē⟩ | ø ⟨ö⟩ | ʊ ⟨ō⟩ |
Open-mid | ɛ ⟨e⟩ | œ ⟨ë⟩ | ɔ ⟨o⟩ |
Near-open | æ ⟨ä⟩ | ɒ̝ ⟨ā⟩ | |
Open | a ⟨a⟩ |
The system of personal pronouns in Lemerig contrasts clusivity, and distinguishes four numbers (singular, dual, trial, and plural). [7]
Spatial reference in Lemerig is based on a system of geocentric ( absolute) directionals, which is in part typical of Oceanic languages, in part innovative. [8]
Lemerig | |
---|---|
Pak, Päk, Sasar | |
Pronunciation | [lɪmɪˈriɣ] |
Native to | Vanuatu |
Region | Vanua Lava |
Native speakers | 2 (2010) [1] |
Dialects | Alo-Teqel, Pak, Sasar |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 |
lrz |
Glottolog |
leme1238 |
ELP | Lemerig |
Lemerig is classified as Critically Endangered by the
UNESCO
Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger |
Lemerig is an Oceanic language spoken on Vanua Lava, in Vanuatu.
Lemerig is no longer actively spoken. The 2 remaining speakers live on the northern coast of the island. [2] The language has receded in favour of its neighbours Mwotlap and Vera'a. [1]
The name Lemerig /lemeriɣ/ refers to a now abandoned village in northern Vanua Lava in Mota, corresponding to the native name Lēmērig (/lɪmɪˈriɣ/). Its name in Mwotlap is Lemyig [lɛmˈjiɣ]. It comes from Proto-Torres-Banks *lemeriɣi, where the *riɣi component likely means "small".
Lemerig has sometimes been referred to using the names of its local varieties: Päk; [3] Sasar; Alo-Teqel.
Judging from wordlists published by missionary and linguist Robert Codrington, [4] these three varieties were very close to each other. The little differences there were went extinct during the 20th century.
Lemerig has 11 phonemic vowels. These are all short monophthongs /i ɪ ɛ æ a œ ø ɒ̝ ɔ ʊ u/. [5] [6]
Front | Back | ||
---|---|---|---|
plain | round | ||
Close | i ⟨i⟩ | u ⟨u⟩ | |
Near-close | ɪ ⟨ē⟩ | ø ⟨ö⟩ | ʊ ⟨ō⟩ |
Open-mid | ɛ ⟨e⟩ | œ ⟨ë⟩ | ɔ ⟨o⟩ |
Near-open | æ ⟨ä⟩ | ɒ̝ ⟨ā⟩ | |
Open | a ⟨a⟩ |
The system of personal pronouns in Lemerig contrasts clusivity, and distinguishes four numbers (singular, dual, trial, and plural). [7]
Spatial reference in Lemerig is based on a system of geocentric ( absolute) directionals, which is in part typical of Oceanic languages, in part innovative. [8]