Arosi | |
---|---|
Region | Makira, Solomon Islands |
Native speakers | (6,750 cited 1999)[1] |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | aia |
Glottolog | aros1241 |
Arosi is a Southeast Solomonic language spoken on the island of Makira.[2] Arosi is primarily spoken by inhabitants who live to the west of the Wango River on Makira (formerly known as San Cristobal Island). Makira is in the easternmost part of the Solomon Islands. Makira was visited and named by Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira in 1588. Upon landing on Makira, the Spanish were the first to record Arosi, but only six words were initially recorded. Arosi is one of the lesser known languages in Melanesia.[2]