This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2007) |
Niuean | |
---|---|
ko e vagahau Niuē | |
Native to | Niue, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Tonga |
Native speakers | 1,300 in Niue (2018)[1] 4,600 in New Zealand (2013)[1] |
Latin | |
Official status | |
Official language in | Niue |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-2 | niu |
ISO 639-3 | niu |
Glottolog | niue1239 |
ELP | Niue |
Niuean is classified as Definitely Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger | |
Niuean (/njuˈeɪən/;[2] ko e vagahau Niuē) is a Polynesian language, belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian languages. It is most closely related to Tongan and slightly more distantly to other Polynesian languages such as Māori, Samoan, and Hawaiian. Together, Tongan and Niuean form the Tongic subgroup of the Polynesian languages. Niuean also has a number of influences from Samoan and Eastern Polynesian languages.