Sa is a member of the Southern Oceanic branch of Malayo-Polynesian language family. It is spoken by about 2,500 people in the south of Pentecost Island in Penama Province of Vanuatu.
The language is also known as Saa, Ponorwol or South Pentecost Language. Native speakers call it Lokit ("the inside of us all"). The word sa means "what" in Sa. There are four dialect areas recognized by speakers: western (Saa), eastern (Sa), northern and southern (Ha). The western dialect has the most speakers and is understood by speakers of other dialects. The northern and southern dialects are very distinctive, and are difficult for speakers of the western and eastern dialects to understand.
The person to document the language was probably Elie Tattevin, a missionary who worked in the early 20th century and called it Ponorwol. Other people have studied and documented the language, however little of their work has been published.
Sa is written with the Latin alphabet, although there is little written material in the language. It is taught during the first years of primary schools.
Download an alphabet chart for Sa (Excel)
Information about Sa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saa_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/sax
http://www.pentecostisland.net/languages/sa/
https://catalog.paradisec.org.au/collections/AC2/items/OLVOC328
https://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Pentecost-Orientation.html
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: 11.11.22. Last modified: 11.11.22
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