West Ambae language explained
West Ambae (also known as Duidui, the principal dialect, and Opa, the Mota name for the island) is an Oceanic language spoken on Ambae, Vanuatu. Recognized dialects of West Ambae include Walaha and Nduindui (Duindui). The New Testament was published in West Ambae in 1984.
Phonology
!Bilabial!Alveolar!Velar!Labiovelar!GlottalPlosive | voiceless | | pronounced as /link/ | pronounced as /link/ | pronounced as /link/ | |
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voiced | pronounced as /link/ | pronounced as /link/ | pronounced as /link/ | pronounced as /link/ | |
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Fricative | pronounced as /link/ | pronounced as /link/ | | | pronounced as /link/ |
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Nasal | pronounced as /link/ | pronounced as /link/ | pronounced as /link/ | pronounced as /link/ | |
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Rhotic | | pronounced as /link/ | | | |
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Lateral | | pronounced as /link/ | | | | |
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Voiced stops /ɡ, ɡʷ/ occur as prenasalized /ᵑɡ, ᵑɡʷ/, in the Walaha dialect.
[1] Vowels!! Front!Central! BackClose | pronounced as /link/ | | pronounced as /link/ |
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Mid | pronounced as /link/ | | pronounced as /link/ |
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Open | | pronounced as /link/ | | |
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External links
Notes and References
- Book: Aru, Carol Cecilia . A Short Grammar of Duidui: A Language of West Ambae in Northern Vanuatu . University of the South Pacific . 2015.