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Vera’a
Page created in collaboration with Alexandre François (LACITO-C.N.R.S.; Australian National University), 2011.
Data on the Vera’a language
Alternative names: Vatrata, Vanua Lava
Classification: Austronesian language family, Oceanic languages.
Certain sources (including the SIL’s Ethnologue, 16th ed.) consider Vera’a and Lemerig as two variants of one and the same language known as Vatrata.
All the languages of Vanuatu, the country home to the world’s largest linguistic diversity (110 languages for a population of around 200,000) belong to the same Oceanic branch of the Austronesian family. However, they do show a surprising diversity for languages belonging to the same family.
For more on the linguistic diversity of Vanuatu, please refer to Alexandre François’ articles on the subject, available on the Sorosoro Blog.
Geographic area: Vanuatu, Banks Islands, island of Vanua Lava. Mainly in the village of Vera’a, on the western coast of the island, and in a few hamlets north of the village.
Number of speakers: Around 300, according to linguist Alexandre François.
Vitality & transmission: Vera’a is an endangered language, according to UNESCO. Most speakers are at least Vera’a/Vurës bilinguals, Vurës being the dominant language of the island. The language is being taken over by Vurës.
Vera’a is part of a documentation program led by DoBes.
Please visit the DoBes website for more information
Further sources & links
Alexandre François’ personal website
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have more information on this language: contact@sorosoro.org