Mota

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A language of Vanuatu

User Population

750 (2020 A. François). Ethnic population: 1,300.

Torba province: Banks Islands group, Mota (Sugarloaf) island.

Language Maps

Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, North and Central Vanuatu, Northeast Vanuatu-Banks Islands, East Vanuatu

Veverau (Ira we nao), Maligo (Ira we tak).

14 consonants and 5 vowels; stress on first syllable.

Potentially endangered (2000 D. Tryon). Formerly lingua franca. Most key domains. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1912.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Mota

Latin script [Latn].