Languages kanak

Introduction

The term of languages kanak indicates the vernacular languages of the New Caledonia.

In linguistics, " languages néo-calédoniennes" are a sub-group of the group of the " power station-Eastern Austronesian Languages " Austronesian branch of the Languages austronésiennes.

The languages kanak are 28 to which 11 dialects are added, although the inventory differs according to the authors and from the distinction that those can make between dialectal languages and alternatives. Maurice Leenhardt counted 37 languages and dialects thus. A creole , the tayo spoken in the commune about the Mount-Gilds in the district of Saint-Louis, is often associated for them.

Some of these languages are regarded as died, or dying women, not having more or little of speakers.

The inventory below takes again that given by Bernard Cerquiglini within the framework of a report/ratio on the regional Langues of France returned in April 1999. Concerning the languages kanak, its inventory was elaborate according to the information given by the Lacito (CNRS).

For a certain number of them, there does not exist C-W communication or of standard orthography, this one being the subject of controversy sometimes. A Académie of the languages kanak envisaged since 1998 by the Accords of Noumea is in the course of creation (2007).

" the languages kanak are, with French, of the languages of teaching and culture in New Caledonia. Their place in teaching and the media must thus be increased and be the subject of a thorough reflection. A scientific research and a university education on the languages kanaks must be organized in New Caledonia. the national institute of languages and Eastern civilizations will play a crucial role there.

a Academy of the languages kanak, establishment local of which the board of directors will be composed speakers appointed in agreement with the usual authorities, will be installation. It will fix their rules of use and their evolution " (Article 1.3.3)

Geographical and linguistic distribution and many speakers

The localization of these languages is given here as an indication. The migratory currents, the urbanization indeed changed gives it. One considers for example that there would be more than 5000 speakers of Drehu in Noumea, for approximately 7 to 8000 on the island itself.

Each color corresponds to a linguistic sub-group distinct or recognized like such by the specialists in comparative literature, although there does not exist unanimity on the question the more so as these languages are enormously borrowed between them, from where the side somewhat skewed of all these cuttings.

Languages of the Northern group

Langues of the group Centers

Languages of the Southern group

Languages of the group Honesty

Polynesian Language

Chart

Data

With this inventory is added a 29è language, the tayo, a Creole spoken by approximately 600 speakers originating in the tribe in Saint Louis (Common of the Mount Gilds)

Official statute and teaching

Recognition of the languages kanak as regional languages cut-off date of the 20 octobres 1992. This one introduced four languages as an optional test with the baccalaureat. It is of the drehu, the nengone, the paicî and the ajië.

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