Seimat

Seimat is a member of the Oceanic branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language family. It is spoken by about 1,200 people mainly on the islands of Awin, Patexux, Mal, Lau, Pihon, Amix and Liut in the Ninigo Archipelago in western Manus Province in the north of Papua New Guinea. There are also speakers of Seimat on Luf, one of the Hermit Islands east of the Ningio islands, and in other parts of Papua New Guinea.

Seimat is taught in some schools, and a way to write it with the Latin alphabet was proposed at a meeting of Seimat-speaking people from Pihon Island in 2003. Other spelling systems are available.

Seimat alphabet and pronunciation

Seimat alphabet and pronunciation

Download an alphabet chart for Seimat (Excel)

Notes

Nasalisation of vowels is not always indicated.

Sample text

Ngain tehu, Sulon ma nga, amili lang nunu hon hani tehiton, wasole Sangan ma Nahanu. Amili atengi mat somua ape amili uh:i waimili. Nga axuxi haliang ape amili lang. Amili lang hani tesol pahamili ape amili losi lihemili.

Translation

One day Sulon and I went sailing to dive for turtle at the back of the reef between Sangan and Nahanu. We waited for the low tide and then pushed out our canoe. I set up the mast and we set sail. We sailed to the place we intended and we took down our sail.

Source: Seimat organised phonology data, by Theresa Wilson and Beata Wozna.

Information about Seimat | Numbers

Links

Information about Seimat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seimat_language
http://www.language-archives.org/language/ssg
https://www.sil.org/resources/search/language/ssg
https://kakaiseimat.com/en

Oceanic languages

Adzera, Ahamb, Äiwoo, Aneityum, Apma, Araki, Are, ʼAuhelawa, Avava, Babatana, Bariai, Bola, Big Numbas, Buhutu, Bwaidoka, Caac, Cheke Holo, Daakaka, Dorig, Hiri Motu, Hiw, Hoava, Kakabai, Kaninuwa, 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, Namakura, Naman, Nanggu, Nduke, Neve‘ei, Neverver, Ninde, North Efate, Nume, Paamese, Papapana, Raga, Rotuman, Roviana, Sa, Sakao, Saliba, Seimat, Siar, Sio, Ske, Sobei, Sursurunga, Tamambo, Tami, Teanu, Tigak, Tirax, Tolai, Touo, Ubir, Ughele, Uneapa, Vatlongos, Vitu, Vurës, Western Fijian, Wuvulu-Aua, Yabem, Yapese

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page created: 07.04.26. Last modified: 07.04.26

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