Hiw (sometimes spelled Hiu) is an Oceanic language spoken on the island of Hiw, in the Torres Islands of Vanuatu.^[3]

It is distinct from Lo-Toga, the other language of the Torres group.

The language[edit]

Hiw has 280 speakers, and is considered endangered.^[4][5]

Phonology[edit]

Vowels[edit]

Hiw has 9 phonemic vowels. These are all short monophthongs /i ɪ e ɵ ə a ʉ o ɔ/.^[6]

Consonants[edit]

Hiw has 14 consonants.^[6]

All plosives are voiceless. Hiw is the only Austronesian language whose consonant inventory includes a prestopped velar lateral approximant /ɡ͡ʟ/; this complex segment is Hiw's only liquid.^[7]

References[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

• François, Alexandre (2005), "Unraveling the history of vowels in seventeen north Vanuatu languages", Oceanic Linguistics 44 (2): 443–504, doi:10.1353/ol.2005.0034 
• François, Alexandre (2010a), "Phonotactics and the prestopped velar lateral of Hiw: Resolving the ambiguity of a complex segment", Phonology 27 (3): 393–434, doi:10.1017/s0952675710000205 
• François, Alexandre (2010b), "Pragmatic demotion and clause dependency: On two atypical subordinating strategies in Lo-Toga and Hiw (Torres, Vanuatu)", in Bril, Isabelle, Clause hierarchy and Clause linking: The Syntax and Pragmatics interface, Studies in Language Companion Series 121, Amsterdam: Benjamins, pp. 499–548, ISBN 978-90-272-0588-9 
• François, Alexandre (2012), "The dynamics of linguistic diversity: Egalitarian multilingualism and power imbalance among northern Vanuatu languages", International Journal of the Sociology of Language 214: 85–110, doi:10.1515/ijsl-2012-0022 

External links[edit]

• Linguistic map of north Vanuatu, showing range of Hiw.

Languages of Vanuatu Official Bislama English French Indigenous Akei Amblong Anejom̃ Aore Apma Araki Aulua Avava Axamb Baetora Baki Bierebo Bieria Burmbar Butmas-Tur Central Maewo Daakie Daakaka Dixon Reef Dorig Emae Eton Fortsenal Futuna-Aniwa Hano Hiw Ifo Kwamera Koro Lamenu Lakon Lamap Larevat Lehali Lelepa Lemerig Lenakel Letemboi Lewo Lonwolwol Lorediakarkar Lo-Toga Löyöp Mae Maii Malfaxal Malua Bay Maragus Maskelynes Mavea Mele-Fila Merei Morouas Mota Mpotovoro Mwerlap Mwesen Mwotlap Nahavaq Nakanamanga Namakura Naman Narango Nasarian Navut Nese Neverver Ninde Nisvai Nokuku North Tanna North Ambrym Northeast Ambae Nume Olrat Paama Piamatsina Polonombauk Repanbitip Rerep Roria Saa Sakao Shark Bay Sie Ske South Efate Southeast Ambrym Southwest Tanna Sowa Sungwadia Tamambo Tambotalo Tangoa Tasmate Tiale Tolomako Tutuba Unua Ura Uripiv-Wala-Rano-Atchin Valpei Vao V’ënen Taut Vera’a Vinmavis Volow Vunapu Vurës Wailapa West Ambae Whitesands Wusi