Marovo

Marovo is member of the Northwest Solomonic branch of the Oceanic group of Malayo-Polynesian languages. It is spoken by about 8,100 people mainly in the New Georgia islands in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, particular on Marovo Lagoon, and also in the south of New Georgia Island and in Vangunu and Nggatokae islands.

Marovo is written with the Latin alphabet, and parts of the Bible have been translated into the language.

Marovo alphabet and pronunciation

Download an alphabet chart for Marovo (Excel)

Sample text (Genesis 1:1-4)

Vahavoroa e God pa tinalavuni ia vangavanga oro ia soloso.
Mani hua pu sanu inomina kani hua uka ia soloso, oro kare uka ka tongana; oro chabo tou ia nga maliogo ia lao. Mani ia nga Spirit te God na vagitia ia korekore idere.
Mani, Mu rane, hua e God : heni rane.
Mani omia e God ia rane pu leana : mani pajaka vailolo loa ia e God pa maliogo ia rane.

Translation

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.

Source: https://www.bible.com/bible/116/GEN.1.NLT

Sample videos

Links

Information about Marovo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marovo_language
https://lingweb.eva.mpg.de/channumerals/Marovo.htm
https://docs.verbix.com/Languages/Marovo
http://www.language-archives.org/language/mvo

Oceanic languages

Adzera, Ahamb, Äiwoo, Aneityum, Apma, Araki, Are, ʼAuhelawa, Avava, Babatana, Bariai, Bola, Big Numbas, Buhutu, Bwaidoka, Bwanabwana, Caac, Cheke Holo, Daakaka, Dorig, East Ambae, Gapapaiwa, Hiri Motu, Hiw, Hoava, Kakabai, Kaninuwa, Kara, Kilivila, Kokota, Koro. Kove, Kurti, Kwamera, Lakon, Lehali, Lenakel, Lewo, Lote, Lo-Toga, Löyöp, Manam, Marovo, Maskelynes, Mato, Mavea, Mono-Alu, Mota, Motu, Mussau-Emira, Mwerlap, Mwesen, Mwotlap, Nafsan, Nahavaq, Nali, Namakura, Naman, Nanggu, Nduke, Neve‘ei, Neverver, Ninde, North Efate, Nume, Paamese, Papapana, Raga, Rotuman, Roviana, Sa, Sakao, Saliba, Seimat, Siar, Sio, Ske, Sobei, Sudest, Sursurunga, Tamambo, Tami, Teanu, Tigak, Tirax, Tolai, Touo, Tungag, Ubir, Ughele, Uneapa, Vatlongos, Vitu, Vurës, Western Fijian, Wuvulu-Aua, Yabem, Yapese

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page created: 14.02.24. Last modified: 15.02.24

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