Melanesian
Language Information
Melanesian is a general term for the languages of Melanesia, the island region of the southwestern Pacific that includes Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji.
Melanesia is one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world, with over 1,000 languages. Most coastal and island languages belong to the Oceanic branch of the Malayo-Polynesian (Austronesian) family, while most languages of the New Guinea interior are grouped as Papuan languages. Pidgin languages such as Tok Pisin, Bislama, and Pijin serve as common languages.
Melanesia is one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world, with over 1,000 languages. Most coastal and island languages belong to the Oceanic branch of the Malayo-Polynesian (Austronesian) family, while most languages of the New Guinea interior are grouped as Papuan languages. Pidgin languages such as Tok Pisin, Bislama, and Pijin serve as common languages.
- Language Family
- Malayo-Polynesian (Austronesian)
- Subgroup
- Melanesian