Äiwoo is a member of the Oceanic branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language family. It is spoken by about 8,400 people, mainly in the Reef Islands of Ngawa and Ngäsinue in Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands. There are also speakers on the Santa Cruz islands of Vanikoro and Nendö, and along the north coast of Honiara and Santa Cruz.
Äiwoo is also known as Ayiwo, Aïwo, Gnivo, Lomlom, Naaude, Nifilole, Nivo, Reef Islands or Reefs. It is written with the Latin alphabet, and four different orthographies have been developed since the 1970s. It is used on the radio, there is some literature, and it is taught in schools.
Download an alphabet chart for Äiwoo (Excel)
Liâtolenâ mo sime bââ. Go sime bangä dä kumo ilâ ngä temotu eââ.
They paddled ashore, but there were no people. Because no one lived on that island yet.
Kiteuläijowâ ile temotu iliaa-käilenä.
They explored the island they had reached.
Kiäpitokâno nupää ngä numomoji.
I put some cloth into the canoe (to plug the hole)
Lenge peluwoo äängi nogo miluwopa dâu manato.
These days most Reef Islanders have European names.
Information about Äiwoo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Äiwoo_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/nfl
https://www.elararchive.org/dk0380/
https://endangeredlanguages.com/
https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/
https://elararchive.org/blog/2018/05/14/aiwoo-dictionary/
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: 03.10.22. Last modified: 31.10.22
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