Tamambo (Tamabo)

Tamambo is a member of the Remote Oceanic branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language family. It is spoken by about 4,000 people, mainly on Malo Island in Sanma province of Vanuatu, and also in Port Vila on Efate Island, and in Luganville and Santo on Espiritu Santo Island. In the west of Malo Island Tamambo is widely spoken, however in the east of the island, where there are many people from other islands, Tamambo people are shifting to Bislama, one of the offical languages of Vanuatu.

Tamambo is also known as Malo or Tamabo. Dialects include Avunatari, Ataripoe and Tamapo. It can be written with the Latin alphabet, however there is no standard way to write it, and few speakers are literate in Tamambo.

Tamambo alphabet and pronunciation

Notes

When unstressed and before a vowel, i is pronounced [j] and u is pronounced [w], and o is pronounced [w] by some speakers.
At the beginning of words, c/h is pronounced [x] or [h]. In the middle of words it is pronounced [x], [ɣ], [h], [ɦ] or [ɡ].
Younger speakers pronounce v [f] initially and [v] medially.

Download an alphabet chart for Tamambo (Excel)

Sample text

Balosuro ku vuro-ho hina hamba-ku niani o laia-a, ro o lai-a ale a-tete-ro o mate!

Translation

(So) now I'm going to fight you with these wings of mine and you defend yourself, so you defend yourself and if not then you're dead!

Information about Tamambo | Numbers

Links

Information about Tamambo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamambo_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mla
https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/29991
https://endangeredlanguages.com/lang/4676

Oceanic languages

Adzera, Ahamb, Äiwoo, Aneityum, Apma, Araki, Are, ’Auhelawa, Avava, Babatana, Bariai, Bola, Big Numbas, Buhutu, Bwaidoka, Caac, Cheke Holo, Dorig, Hiri Motu, Hiw, Hoava, Kakabai, Kaninuwa, Kokota, Kove, Kurti, Lakon, Lehali, Lenakel, Lewo, Lote, Lo-Toga, Löyöp, Manam, Marovo, Maskelynes, Mato, Mavea, Mono-Alu, Motu, Mussau-Emira, Mwotlap, Nafsan, Nahavaq, Namakura, Nanggu, Nduke, Neve‘ei, Neverver, Ninde, North Efate, Nume, Paamese, Papapana, Raga, Rotuman, Roviana, Sa, Sakao, Saliba, Siar, Sio, Ske, Sobei, Sursurunga, Tamambo, Tami, Teanu, Tigak, Tirax, Tolai, Touo, Ubir, Ughele, Uneapa, Vatlongos, Vitu, Vurës, Western Fijian, Yabem, Yapese

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page created: 03.11.22. Last modified: 14.11.22

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