four languages constitute the Erromanga branch of South Vanuatu languages. Due to a lack of documentation, it is unclear whether Sorug and Sye were two distinct languages or whether they were dialects of a single language. There is also evidence of two additional speech forms, Novulamleg and Uravat, though it is not known whether these were dialectical variants, distinct languages, place or area names, names of descent groups or simply descriptive names. The depopulation that followed the series of epidemics of the mid-19th century resulted in a linguistic realignment. Villages that were no longer viable because of population loss either relocated or amalgamated with others, and the island's population dispersed. Yocu/Enyau was the dominant language during the late 19th century, as it was the language of the Dillons Bay area where the missionaries were based, and the language used in the first missionary bibles. Enyau/Yocu and Sorug/Sye merged between the 1870s and 1920s to become modern Erromangan. Some linguists call this language Sye, however on Erromango nam Eromaga ('Erromangan language') is more common. Erromangan is spoken as the first language in 90.4% of Erromango's households. Of Erromangans over the age of five, 63.6% are literate in Bislama, Vanuatu's lingua franca. 62.3% are literate in English and 19.0% are literate in French, Vanuatu's two official languages. Transportation The island is served by two airstrips: Dillon's Bay Airport in the west and Ipota Airport in the east. References External links Conserving and managing biodiversity in the South Pacific, Kauri Forest Reserve, Erromango Island, Vanuatu 2015, Rudolf Hahn CTA FAO (youtube video) Erromango Cultural Association Languages of Erromango SIL Ethnologue – Sie (Sye) language Australian Museum – Singing Arrows of Erromango Radio Australia – Revived Erromango bark cloth painting heads to exhibition in Germany Erromango – TAFEA Tourism Council Erromango – Vanuatu Aelan Walkabaot Vanuatu Islands Travel Info – Erromango, bush walking, hiking & trekking Cruising and diving Erromango Highlights of tourism in Erromango island (youtube video) Radio New Zealand – Sandalwood on Erromango Avibase – checklist of birds of Erromango Islands of Vanuatu Tafea Province Volcanoes of Vanuatu Cannibalism in Oceania