Vinitiri

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
vmg
Alternate Names
Lungalunga, Minigir, Minigiri, Tavue, Vinitiri Tuna
Autonym
Vinitiri, Vinitiri Lungalungá
User Population

6,000 (2012 SIL). Ethnic population: 6,000 (2012 SIL).

Location

East New Britain province: Ataliklikun bay, Lungalunga and Vunamarita villages on Gazelle peninsula.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Meso Melanesian, New Ireland, South New Ireland-Northwest Solomonic, Mono-Uruava
Dialects

Vinitiri Vunamarita, Vinitiri Luvuani.

Language Use

Not endangered (2000 D. Tryon). All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use Kuanua [ksd]. All also use Tok Pisin [tpi]. Many also use English [eng], especially adults.

Language Development

Grammar.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Vinitiri
Writing

Latin script [Latn], used since 2002.

Other Comments

Although the language name, Lungalunga, was derived from Tok Pisin [tpi] ‘longlong’ meaning ‘crazy’, there is unanimous agreement within the community that this is the widely recognized language name, even though some in Lungalunga village prefer the name ‘Tavue’ meaning ‘brother’ (2012 SIL). Overall, however, in Lungalunga village and throughout the language area, Vinitiri is the preferred language name by speakers (Van Der Mark 2007).