Makolkol language

{{Short description|Extinct Papuan language}}

{{Infobox language

|name=Makolkol

|altname=(unattested)

|region=New Britain

|speakers=7 in 1988. May still be alive

|date=2016

|ref=e25

|familycolor=Papuan

|family=unclassified

|iso3=zmh

|glotto=mako1250

|glottorefname=Makolkol

}}

Makolkol is a possible Papuan language formerly spoken on the Gazelle Peninsula of East New Britain Province on the island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Stebbins (2010) reports it is unattested.Dunn, Michael. 2012. [https://www.academia.edu/2843435/Systematic_typological_comparison_as_a_tool_for_investigating_language_history Systematic typological comparison as a tool for investigating language history]. Palmer (2018) treats it as unclassified.{{cite book |last=Palmer |first=Bill |editor1-last=Palmer |editor1-first=Bill |date=2018 |title=The Languages and Linguistics of the New Guinea Area: A Comprehensive Guide |chapter=Language families of the New Guinea Area |series= The World of Linguistics |volume=4 |location=Berlin |publisher=De Gruyter Mouton |pages=1–20 |isbn=978-3-11-028642-7}}

It is not known if it was related to the neighboring Baining languages.

Rosensteel (1988) contains a 174-word list of Makolkol.

Sociolinguistic situation

Makolkol was spoken only in the village of Gunapeo. Speakers were shifting to Tok Pisin and Meramera.[https://pnglanguages.sil.org/resources/languages/language/zmh Makolkol]. Languages of Papua New Guinea. SIL International. ([https://pnglanguages.sil.org/sites/png/files/makolkol.pdf PDF]). Rosensteel (1988) reported that out of a total population of about 35 ethnic people, there were 7 elderly fluent speakers.Rosensteel, Gary L. 1988. A sociolinguistic survey report on five Baining languages: Kairak, Makolkol, Mali, Simbali and Uramët. Unpublished manuscript. Ukarumpa: SIL.

References