Bislama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bislama |
|
|---|---|
| Region | Vanuatu |
| Native speakers | 6,000 (2001) 200,000 L2 speakers |
| Language family |
English Creole
|
| Writing system | Latin |
| Official status | |
| Official language in |  Vanuatu |
| Linguasphere | 52-ABB-ce |
Bislama is one of the three national languages of Vanuatu, an island country in the Pacific Ocean. It's a special kind of language called a creole. This means it was created by mixing words and grammar from different languages. Bislama is quite new, having developed over the last two or three hundred years.
It was formed mostly from English words, with some French words and many words from local languages spoken in Vanuatu. The way sentences are built in Bislama is similar to how people have spoken in Vanuatu for a long time. It's not like English or French grammar.
Here are some examples of Bislama phrases:
- Stoa long haos - This means "The store next to the house."
- Buk blong mi - This means "My book."
- Bambae mi wantem bia - This means "I will want beer."
What is Bislama?
Bislama is a unique language that helps people from different islands in Vanuatu talk to each other. Before Bislama, there were many different local languages, making it hard for everyone to communicate. When traders and missionaries came to Vanuatu, they often spoke English or French. Over time, a new language grew from these interactions.
This new language used a lot of English words, but it changed them to fit the sounds and grammar of the local languages. It also borrowed some words from French and many from the native languages of Vanuatu. This mix created Bislama, a language that is easy for people across the islands to learn and use.
Where is Bislama Spoken?
Bislama is mainly spoken in Vanuatu. It is the most common language used for everyday communication among people who speak different native languages. It's used in government, media, and schools. While English and French are also official languages, Bislama is often the language that brings everyone together.
It's also spoken by some people in nearby countries like New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands, especially by those who have connections to Vanuatu.
How Bislama Works
Bislama has a simpler grammar system compared to English or French. For example, it doesn't have many different verb endings or complicated rules for nouns. This makes it easier to learn.
Many Bislama words come from English, but they might sound a bit different. For instance, "thank you" becomes tank yu, and "goodbye" becomes gudbai. The language also has special words that show who owns something or when something will happen.
For example, the word blong is very common. It's used to show possession, like buk blong mi (my book). It can also mean "for" or "of." The word bambae is used to talk about the future, like bambae mi go (I will go).
Images for kids
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A sign in Bislama written in boustrophedon Avoiuli script, from the island of Pentecost. The top-left reads, sab senta blong melenisian institiut blong tijim saen. filosofi. hiumaniti mo teknoloji. lisa vilij lolovini (Sap Centre of the Melanesian Institute for teaching signs, philosophy, humanity and technology, Lisaa village, Central Pentecost).
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Bislama translation Selections from the Book of Mormon: Samfala Toktok blong Buk blong Mormon: Wan Narafala Testeman blong Jisas Kraes
See also
In Spanish: Bislama para niños
