# Label language

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Oceanic language

For other uses, see [Label (disambiguation)](/source/Label_(disambiguation)).

Label Native to Papua New Guinea Region New Ireland Native speakers (140 cited 1979 census)[1] Language family Austronesian Malayo-Polynesian Oceanic Western Meso-Melanesian (St George linkage) Label–Bilur Label Language codes ISO 639-3 lbb Glottolog labe1239 ELP Label

**Label** is a small [Oceanic language](/source/Oceanic_language) spoken on [New Ireland](/source/New_Ireland_(island)) in Papua New Guinea. It is one of many [Meso-Melanesian languages](/source/Meso-Melanesian_languages) spoken on the island. The Label language is largely spoken on the south west of the island in a small pocket of space.[2] It is not known to be spoken in any significant way outside of Papua New Guinea.[3]

There are few speakers of the language, and is thus, endangered.[4] Estimates vary between 140 (from a 1979 survey), up to 500 speakers.[3] In 2005, the language was considered to be on the brink of extinction by som, with about 300 speakers.[5]

## Resources

On 24 November 2024, the Label community came together to celebrate the launch of the Label New Testament. Until this translation, the Label language was an oral only language. Thus, to create the biblical text, an alphabet had to be created. At the launch event, there was a celebration with speeches, prayers, dancing, meals and a devotional message, accompanied by readings from the newly produced New Testament.[5]

The New Testament in Label is available on the [YouVersion](/source/YouVersion) Bible app, one of 1,600 languages on the app.[6]

Furthermore, the Jesus Film is available to watch online in the Label language.[7]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-e18_1-0)** [Label](https://www.ethnologue.com/18/language/lbb/) at *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)* (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Language distribution maps | Languages of Papua New Guinea"](https://pnglanguages.sil.org/resources/provinces/province/New%20Ireland/map). *pnglanguages.sil.org*. Retrieved 2025-09-28.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) ["Label language resources | Joshua Project"](https://joshuaproject.net/languages/lbb#details). *joshuaproject.net*. Retrieved 2025-09-28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Label Language (LBB) – L1 & L2 Speakers, Status, Map, Endangered Level & Official Use | Ethnologue Free"](https://www.ethnologue.com/language/lbb/). *Ethnologue (Free All)*. Retrieved 2025-09-28.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_5-1) ["Saved from the brink of extinction"](https://wycliffe.org.uk/story/saved-from-the-brink-of-extinction). *Wycliffe Bible Translators*. Retrieved 2025-09-28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*Download Label | lbb Bible | 100% Free*](https://www.bible.com/versions/1396-lbb-label).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["JESUS"](https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/watch/jesus.html/label.html). *jesusfilm.org*. Retrieved 2025-09-28.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

v t e Meso-Melanesian languages Willaumez Bola Bulu Meramera Nakanai Bali-Vitu Bali Vitu New Ireland– Northwest Solomonic Tungag–Nalik Kara Laxudumau Nalik Tiang Tigak Tungag Tabar Lihir Madara Notsi Madak Barok Lavatbura–Lamusong Madak St. George Bilur Fanamaket Kandas Konomala Label Lungalunga Niwer Mil Patpatar Ramoaaina Siar Sursurunga Tolai Warwar Feni Northwest Solomonic Hahon Hakö Halia Nehan Papapana Petats Saposa Solos Teop Tinputz Bannoni Piva Mono-Alu Torau Uruava Babatana Ririo Varisi Vaghua Ghanongga Hoava Kusaghe Lungga Marovo Nduke Roviana Simbo Ughele Vangunu Blablanga Cheke Holo Gao Kokota Laghu Zabana Zazao Tomoip * indicates proposed status ? indicates classification dispute † indicates extinct status

v t e Eastern Malayo-Polynesian languages SHWNG Tandia Mor Waropen Warembori ? Yoke ? Halmahera Sea Ambel–Biga Ambel Biga Maya–Matbat Ma'ya Matbat Maden Maden Fiawat As As South Halmahera Gane Taba Buli Maba Patani Sawai Gebe Cenderawasih Biakic Biak Dusner Meoswar Roon Yapen Ambai Ansus Marau Wandamen Wooi Munggui Papuma Pom Serui-Laut Kurudu Wabo Southwest Yaur Yerisiam Umar Oceanic Admiralty Yapese ? Eastern Manus Baluan-Pam Lenkau Lou Nauna Penchal Western Northern Kaniet Southern Kaniet Seimat Wuvulu Aua Saint Matthias Mussau-Emira Tenis Temotu Utupua Amba Asumboa Tanimbili Vanikoro Teanu Lovono Tanema Reefs–Santa Cruz Äiwoo Engdewu / Nanggu Natügu / Santa Cruz Nalögo Noipx Southeast Solomonic Gela–Guadalcanal Bugotu Gela Lengo Birao Ghari Malango Talise Malaita– San Cristobal Longgu Saʼa Arosi Fagani Bauro Kahua Owa Marau Wawa ? † Toʼabaita Baelelea Baeggu Fataleka Lau Kwara'ae Wala Gula'alaa Kwaio Dori'o ꞋAreꞌare Oroha Western Oceanic Meso–Melanesian Kimbe Bola Bulu Meramera Nakanai Bali Vitu New Ireland– Northwest Solomonic Tungag–Nalik Kara Laxudumau Nalik Tiang Tigak Tungag Tabar Lihir Madara Notsi Madak Barok Lavatbura–Lamusong Madak St. George Bilur Fanamaket Kandas Konomala Label Lungalunga Niwer Mil Patpatar Ramoaaina Siar Sursurunga Tolai Warwar Feni Northwest Solomonic Hahon Hakö Halia Nehan Papapana Petats Saposa Solos Teop Tinputz Bannoni Piva Mono-Alu Torau Uruava Babatana Ririo Varisi Vaghua Ghanongga Hoava Kusaghe Lungga Marovo Nduke Roviana Simbo Ughele Vangunu Blablanga Cheke Holo Gao Kokota Laghu Zabana Zazao Tomoip North New Guinea Sarmi– Jayapura ? Anus Bonggo Kayupulau Liki Masimasi Ormu Podena Kaptiau Sobei Tarpia Tobati Wakde Yamna Schouten Arop-Sissano Sera Sissano Ulau-Suain Tumleo Yakamul Kaiep Kairiru Terebu Biem Kis Manam Medebur Sepa Wogeo Huon Gulf Bukawa Kela Yabem Aribwatsa † Aribwaung Adzera Dangal Duwet Labu Maralango Mari Musom Nafi Silisili Wampar Wampur Hote Iwal Kapin Kumalu Mangga Buang Mapos Buang Mumeng Piu Vehes Yamap Numbami Ngero–Vitiaz Bariai Gitua Kove Lusi Malalamai Mutu Awad Bing Bilibil Gedaged Marik Matukar Mindiri Takia Yote Lamogai Mouk-Aria Aigon Karore Kaulong Miu Sengseng Aiklep Akolet Apalik Avau Bebeli Gimi Lesing-Gelimi Mangseng Solong Lote Mamusi Mengen Arop-Lukep Karnai Malasanga Mur Pano Mato Ronji Amara Maleu Mbula Sio Tami Papuan Tip Nuclear 'Auhelawa Buhutu Bwanabwana Oya'oya Saliba Suau Unubahe Wagawaga Bwaidoka Diodio Iamalele Iduna Koluwawa Maiadomu Bunama Boselewa Dobu Duau Galeya Molima Mwatebu Sewa Bay Dawawa Kakabai Are Arifama-Miniafia Doga Gapapaiwa Ghayavi Kaninuwa Ubir Gweda Haigwai Maiwala Minaveha Taupota Tawala Yakaikeke Anuki Gumawana Kilivila–Misima Budibud Kilivila Misima Muyuw Nimoa–Sudest Nimoa Sudest Southern Oceanic North Vanuatu Torres–Banks Hiw Lo-Toga Lehali Löyöp Mwotlap Volow Lemerig Vera’a Vurës Mwesen Mota Nume Dorig Koro Olrat Lakon Mwerlap Maewo–Ambae– North Pentecost Sun̄wadia Sun̄wadaga Baetora Duidui Northeast Ambae Raga South Pentecost Ske Apma Sa Espiritu Santo Cape Cumberland Nokuku Tolomako Wusi Akei Tasiriki Tangoa Araki Tiale Merei Kiai M̈av̈ea Tutuba Aore Tamambo Mores Shark Bay Sakao Nuclear Southern Oceanic Central Vanuatu Northeast Malakula Vao Vovo Mpotovoro Dirak Malua Bay V’ënen Taut Tape Larevat Neve’ei Naman Navava Nevwervwer Unua Pangkumu Banam Bay Aulua Lendamboi Nasarian Axamb Avok Maskelynes Port Sandwich Sinesip Naha’ai Ninde North Ambrym West Ambrym South Ambrym Lewo Lamen Bierebo Baki Mkir Bieria Nakanamanga Nguna Namakir South Efate South Vanuatu Erromango Sie / Erromangan Sorung † Ifo (Utaha) † Ura Tanna Kwamera (South Tanna) Southwest Tanna Lenakel (West Tanna) Whitesands (East Tanna) North Tanna Aneityum Loyalties– New Caledonia Loyalty Islands Drehu Iaai Nengone New Caledonian Southern Ndrumbea Numèè Xârâcùù Xârâgurè Tîrî Zire † Ajië Arhö Arhâ Neku Orowe Northern Vamale Haveke Haeke Cèmuhî Paicî Pwaamei Pwapwa Bwatoo Hmwaveke Waamwang Fwâi Jawe Nemi Pije Caac Kumak Yuanga Nyâlayu Micronesian Nauruan Nuclear Micronesian Kosraean Gilbertese Marshallese Chuukic– Pohnpeic Chuukic Sonsorol Tobian Chuukese Woleaian Ulithian Puluwatese Namonuito Tanapag Carolinian Satawalese Mortlockese Pááfang Mapia † Pohnpeic Mokilese Pingelapese Pohnpeian Ngatikese Central Pacific West Rotuman Namosi-Naitasiri-Serua Western Fijian East Fijian Gone Dau Lauan Lomaiviti Polynesian Nuclear Polynesian Tuvaluan Sikaiana Ontong Java Nukumanu Takuu Nuguria Kapingamarangi Nukuoro Pukapukan Samoic Samoan Tokelauan Niuatoputapu † Eastern Hawaiian Marqeusan Mangareva Tahitian Austral Rapa Tuamotuan Cook Islands Māori Rakahanga-Manihiki Tongareva Māori Moriori † Rapa Nui Futunic Wallisian (East Uvean) West Uvean Futunan (East Futunan) Futuna-Aniwa (West Futunan) Pukapukan Anuta Rennellese Tikopia Mele-Fila Emae Tongic Tongan Niuean Niuafo'ou ? * indicates proposed status ? indicates classification dispute † indicates extinct status

v t e Languages of Papua New Guinea Official languages English Hiri Motu Tok Pisin Papua New Guinean Sign Language Major Indigenous languages Adzera Amanab Awad Bing Barok Bimin Bola Bugawac Dedua Dobu Iatmul Kâte Kobon Kovai Kuanua Kuman Kuot Kurti Lihir Mandara Mangseng Mbula Mende Mussau-Emira Mutu Nekgini Ngaing Niwer Mil Nobonob Numanggang Nyindrou Pele-Ata Petats Ramoaaina Seimat Solong Somba-Siawari Suau Sulka Tangga Tobo Uneapa Ura Vitu Waris Other Papuan languages Angan Akoye Angaataha Ankave Hamtai Kamasa Kawacha Menya Safeyoka Simbari Susuami Tainae Yagwoia Yipma Awin–Pa Awin Pa Binanderean Baruga Binandere Ewage Korafe Orokaiva Suena Yekora Zia Bosavi Aimele Beami Edolo Kaluli Kasua Onobasulu Sonia Chimbu–Wahgi Chuave Dom Golin Kandawo Kaugel Kuman Maring Melpa Narak Nii Nomane Salt-Yui Sinasina Tembagla Wahgi New Ireland Bilur Fanamaket Kandas Konomala Kuanua Label Niwer Mil Patpatar Ramoaaina Siar Sursurunga Warwar Feni Duna–Pogaya Duna Pogaya East Kutubuan Fasu Fiwaga Foi East Strickland Fembe Gobasi Konai Kubo Odoodee Samo Engan Angal Bisorio Enga Huli Ipili Kewa Kyaka Lembena Samberigi Eleman Kaki Ae Keoru Opao Orokolo Toaripi Tairuma Ok–Oksapmin Bimin Faiwol Mian Ngalum Ninggerum Oksapmin Setaman Suganga Telefol Tifal Urap Yonggom Teberan Dadibi Folopa Tirio Abom Baramu Bitur Tirio Were Turama–Kikorian Ikobi Omati Rumu Larger families Finisterre–Huon Kainantu–Goroka Madang Ramu–Lower Sepik Sepik Southeast Papuan Torricelli Sign languages Enga Kailge Mehek Mount Avejaha Rossel Island Sinasina Wanib

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Label language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Label_language) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Label_language?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.