The Meso-Melanesian languages are a linkage of Oceanic languages spoken in the large Melanesian islands of New Ireland and the Solomon Islands east of New Guinea. Bali is one of the most conservative languages.
Composition
The languages group as follows:
- Willaumez linkage: Bola, Bulu, Meramera, Nakanai
- Bali–Vitu: Bali (Uneapa), Vitu (Muduapa) [may be a single language]
- New Ireland – Northwest Solomonic linkage
thumb|The languages of New Ireland are part of the Meso-Melanesian linkage.
- Tungag–Nalik family: Tigak, Tungag, Nalik, Laxudumau, Kara, Tiang
- Tabar linkage: Madara (Tabar), Lihir, Notsi
- Madak linkage: Barok, Lavatbura-Lamusong, Madak
- Tomoip
- St George linkage
- Niwer Mil
- Warwar Feni
- Fanamaket
- Sursurunga
- Konomala
- Patpatar–Tolai: Patpatar, Lungalunga (Minigir), Tolai (Kuanua)
- Label–Bilur: Label, Bilur
- Kandas–Ramoaaina: Kandas, Ramoaaina
- Siar
- Northwest Solomonic linkage
Ethnologue adds Guramalum to the St George linkage.
The Willaumez Peninsula on the north coast of New Britain was evidently the center of dispersal.
Johnston (1982) combines the Willaumez and Bali–Vitu branches into a single Kimbe branch, for which he reconstructs Proto-Kimbe.
Language contact
Lenition in Lamasong, Madak, Barok, Nalik, and Kara may have diffused via influence from Kuot, the only non-Austronesian language spoken on New Ireland (Ross 1994: 566).