200,000 (1995). Literacy rate 82% to 95%. French Overseas Territory of French Polynesia, including Marquesas Islands, Gambier Islands, Austral Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, Tahiti and the Society Islands. Also includes Rapanui, Rarotongan. Data accuracy estimate: B. Christian, secular. The number of languages listed for French Polynesia is 9.
AUSTRAL (TUBUAI-RURUTU) [AUT] 8,000 (1987), 5% of the population. Austral (Tubuai) Islands. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, East, Central, Tahitic. Dialects: RAIVAVAE, RIMATARA, RURUTU, TUBUAI. The dialects are all inherently intelligible. Speakers seem to be shifting to Tahitian. Speakers on Raivavae may be less bilingual. Survey needed.
CHINESE, HAKKA (HAKKA) [HAK] 19,200 in French Polynesia (1987), 2% of the population; 34,000,000 in all countries (1995 WA). Sino-Tibetan, Chinese. Many are shifting to Tahitian. Buddhist, Christian, Chinese traditional religion. Bible 1916. NT 1883-1993. Bible portions 1860-1995.
FRENCH [FRN] 15,338 first language speakers in French Polynesia, foreign born (1977); 50,215 attending French schools, second language speakers (1978); 72,000,000 in all countries (1995 WA). Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Romance. National language. Bible 1530-1986. NT 1474-1980. Bible portions 1483-1987.
MANGAREVA (MANGAREVAN) [MRV] 1,600 (1987), 1% of the population. Gambier Islands, Mangareva Island, Rikitea settlement. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, East, Central, Marquesic. 75% lexical similarity with Rarotongan, 73% with Marquesan, 72% with Paumotu. Some bilingualism in Tahitian; 65% average comprehension of those tested; 50% to 68% lexical similarity. Agriculturalists: breadfruit, coconut, banana, plantain, sugar cane, taro, sweet potato, yam, arrowroot, turmeric, pandanus; fishermen. Altitude: 441 meters. Traditional religion. Bible portions 1908.
MARQUESAN, NORTH [MRQ] 3,400 (1981 Wurm and Hattori); 7,000 to 8,000 including South Marquesas (1995), 5% of the population; plus 8,000 in Tahiti. Marquesas Islands: Hatutu, Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka, Ua Pou islands. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, East, Central, Marquesic. Dialects: HATUTU, NUKU HIVA, UA HUKA, UA POU. Wurm and Hattori (1981) list North Marquesas and South Marquesas as two languages. The dialects of North Marquesas are all inherently intelligible. 45% to 67% lexical similarity with Tahitian; 50% comprehension of Tahitian. 73% lexical similarity with Mangareva and Rarotonga; 70% with Hawaiian, 69% with Paumotu. Fishermen, agriculturalists: breadfruit, coconut, banana, manioc, taro, melon, sweet potato, lettuce, tomato, orange, grapefruit, coffee; copra production. NT 1995. Bible portions 1880-1995.
MARQUESAN, SOUTH [QMS] 2,100 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Marquesas Islands: Hiva Oa, Tahuta, Fatu Hiva islands. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, East, Central, Marquesic. Dialects: HIVA OA, TAHUTA, FATU HIVA. The dialects listed are inherently intelligible. Wurm and Hattori (1981) list North Marquesan as a separate language. Fishermen, agriculturalists. Bible portions 1858-1905.
RAPA (RAPAN) [RAY] 400 (1977 census). Austral Islands, Rapa Island, 2 villages. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, East, Central. May be a dialect of Tubuai-Rurutu (Austral). Tahitian is spoken as second language; used in church. School attendance is required to age 14; instruction is in French. French proficiency is limited. Agriculturalists: taro, coconut, orange, banana, coffee; fishermen; livestock (goats, cattle). Christian. Survey needed.
TAHITIAN [THT] 117,000 in French Polynesia (1977 census) including several thousand non-Tahitians; 262 in New Zealand (1976 census); 7,000 in New Caledonia (1982 SIL); 125,000 in all countries; 150,000 including second language speakers (1991 UBS). Society Islands and some islands in the north Tuamotus. Also in Vanuatu. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, East, Central, Tahitic. 85% lexical similarity with Rarotongan, 76% with Hawaiian. Dictionary. National language. Agriculturalists: taro, yam, sweet potato, corn, eggplant, tomato, melon, lettuce, coconut, breadfruit, Tahitian chestnut, mango, banana, coffee; fishermen; livestock (pigs, cattle). Bible 1838-1913. NT 1829-1988. Bible portions 1818-1861.
TUAMOTUAN (PA'UMOTU) [PMT] 14,400 (1987), 9% of the population; including 6,700 on Tuamotu (1977 census) and 2,000 in Tahiti (1977 Voegelin and Voegelin). Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, East, Central, Tahitic. Dialects: MIHIROA (TARAVAIA), VAHITU, TAPUHOE, NAPUKA, REAO, FANGATAU (TUPITIMOAKE), PARATA (PUTAHI), MARANGAI. 83% lexical similarity with Rarotongan, 77% with Hawaiian. Dialect variations are being leveled out as people become more bilingual in Tahitian. Speakers on Napuka and Reao may be less bilingual. Survey needed.
Part of the Ethnologue, 13th Edition, Barbara F. Grimes, Editor.
Copyright © 1996, Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc. All rights reserved.
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