Polynesian languages facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Polynesian languages |
|
|---|---|
| Ethnicity: | Polynesian people |
| Geographic distribution: |
Polynesia, with outliers in Melanesia and Micronesia |
| Linguistic classification: | Austronesian
|
| Subdivisions: |
Tongic
Nuclear Polynesian
|
The Polynesian languages are a group of languages spoken in Oceania. They all belong in the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian languages. They are mostly spoken in Polynesia, but some are spoken in nearby Melanesia and Micronesia.
There are around 30-40 Polynesian languages, with Samoan having the most speakers. Other well-known Polynesian languages include Māori, Tongan, Hawaiian and Tahitian.
Contents
History
The Polynesian languages formed when Austronesians in New Caledonia (the Lapita culture) started moving to other parts of Oceania. Navigation of Oceania continued until 1300AD, with the discovery of New Zealand (Aotearoa) by the Māori people.
Today, there are over 2 million Polynesians, although speakers of Polynesian languages number far less due to historical reasons such as disease and colonialism.
Sound changes
Throughout the Polynesian languages, many sound changes occur. They mainly exist in consonants. For example, Samoan "f" corresponds to Hawaiian "h".
Hawaiian hale - Samoan fale (house)
Hawaiian aloha - Samoan talofa (hello)
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Lenguas polinesias para niños
