Menya (Menyama, Menye) is an Angan language of

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...

Classification

Menya is classified as an Angan language. Its closest relatives in terms of shared vocabulary are Kapau and Yagwoia at 69-75% and 50-58% respectively. As the Menya-speaking area is bordered on all sides by speakers of other Angan languages, much of the Menya grammar and vocabulary has remained intact and is consistent with other Angan languages. Most ethnographic evidence suggest that the Menya-speaking people do not think of themselves as culturally distinct from their neighbors, as they have no words for Menya identity and people.

Status

Menya is used by the community by all age groups, although there is a growing bilingualism and use of

Tok Pisin Tok Pisin (,Laurie Bauer, 2007, ''The Linguistics Student’s Handbook'', Edinburgh ; Tok Pisin ), often referred to by English speakers as "New Guinea Pidgin" or simply Pidgin, is a creole language spoken throughout Papua New Guinea. It is an ...

, and to a lesser extent, English. The Menya language is now being shaped by this bilingualism as shifts in vocabulary and grammar have become apparent. Nonetheless unlike other areas of New Guinea language attitudes towards Menya remain positive and the language is not endangered.

Classification

Status

Phonology

Consonants

Vowels

References