Mwotlap | |
---|---|
Motlav | |
M̄otlap | |
Pronunciation | [ŋ͡mʷɔtˈlap] |
Native to | Vanuatu |
Region | Mota Lava island, Banks Islands |
Native speakers | 2,100 (2012)[1] |
Dialects |
|
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | mlv |
Glottolog | motl1237 |
ELP | Motlav |
Mwotlap is not endangered according to the classification system of the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger |
Mwotlap (pronounced [ŋ͡mʷɔtˈlap]; formerly known as Motlav) is an Oceanic language spoken by about 2,100 people in Vanuatu. The majority of speakers are found on the island of Motalava in the Banks Islands,[2][3] with smaller communities in the islands of Ra (or Aya) and Vanua Lava,[4] as well as migrant groups in the two main cities of the country, Santo and Port Vila.
Mwotlap was first described in any detail in 2001, by the linguist Alexandre François.
Volow, which used to be spoken on the same island, may be considered a dialect or a separate language.