Mota

A language of Vanuatu

ISO 639: mtt
Population: 750 (2020 A. François). Ethnic population: 1,300.
Location:: Torba province: Banks Islands group, Mota (Sugarloaf) island.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, North and Central Vanuatu, Northeast Vanuatu-Banks Islands, East Vanuatu
Dialects: Veverau (Ira we nao), Maligo (Ira we tak).
Typology: 14 consonants and 5 vowels; stress on first syllable.
Language Use: Potentially endangered (2000 D. Tryon). Formerly lingua franca. Most key domains. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1912.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Mota
Writing: Latin script [Latn].

Location: Torba province: Banks Islands group, Mota (Sugarloaf) island.