Also Known As:
Axamb, Akhamb, Akamb, naujin sdrato [nauˈtʃin sndraˈto] ‘our language’
Dialects & Varieties
Ahamb (Malekula, Vanuatu) - Language Contexts
Ahamb (Malekula, Vanuatu) - Language Contexts
Endangered
100 percent certain, based on the evidence available
968
Native Speakers Worldwide
Speaker Number Trends
Speaker Number Trend 2
A majority of community members speak the language. Speaker numbers are gradually decreasing.
2
Domains of Use
Domain Of Use 4
Used mainly only in the home and/or with family, and may not be the primary language even in these domains for many community members.
4
Transmission
Transmission 1
Most adults in the community, and some children, are speakers.
1
Speakers
Native or fluent speakers:
No results found.
Second-language speakers and learners
No results found.
Semi-speakers or rememberers
No results found.
Children:
No results found.
Young adults
No results found.
Older adults
No results found.
Elders
No results found.
Ethnic or community population
No results found.
Year information was gathered
No results found.
Comments on speakers
Migration for work and to avoid environmental risks, and proximity to other ethnicities in neighboring villages, promotes multilingualism. Bislama is used on social media and texting. Marriage partners from other regions tend to communicate in Bislama. There is an Ahamb-medium preschool, but continuing education is in Bislama and sometimes English or French. Ahamb-language materials are mainly religious or educational. Indigenous language-medium schooling is permitted for first three years of schooling, but Ahamb has not been supported among the numerous other indigenous languages due to a relatively small population.
Location and Context
Countries
Ahamb Island, Malekula, Vanuatu
Location Description
No results found.
Government Support
Vanuatu National Language Policy (2012)
Institutional Support
No results found.
Speakers' Attitude
There is some enthusiasm for teaching Ahamb via formal education. Elders are seen as real speakers, while younger people lack confidence and so are less likely to use and pass on the language. Bislama is used in religious services, partially to avoid alienating non-Ahamb speakers, though a Bible translation could be well-received. Literacy in Bislama, English and French is seen as a key to employment
Other Languages Used By The Community
Bislama, English
Number of Other Language Speakers:
None
Domains of Other Languages:
None
Writing Systems
Standard orthography:
No results found.
Writing system:
No results found.
Other writing systems used:
No results text.
Comments on writing systems:
There has been a sparsity of literacy materials and skills, and poor transition into new domains and media. Several linguistics have worked with community members in the past decade to develop an orthography and create print and digital literacy materials, dictionaries, stories, and religious materials.
Recent Resources
Audio-video recordings of stories, cultural traditions, tasks, religious passages and songs, etc.
Summary of the deposit
Ahamb is one of over 120 vernacular languages spoken in the Republic of Vanu
Men demonstrate how to dive for fish with spears. Axamb Island, Malakula, Vanuatu.