BISLAMA: a language of Vanuatu

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: BCY

ISO 639-1: bi

ISO 639-2: bis

Population	The majority of the population of 128,000 understands and uses it as a lingua franca. There are some first language speakers. Population total both countries 1,200 or more.
Region	Also spoken in New Caledonia.
Alternate names	BICHELAMAR
Classification	Creole, English based, Pacific.
Comments	Unlike Tok Pisin (Papua New Guinea) and Pijin (Solomon Islands) there are some French loan words. Partially intelligible with Pijin and Tok Pisin. Widely used in commerce, government, internal dealings. National language. Dictionary. Grammar. Literacy rate in first language: 10% to 30%. Literacy rate in second language: 25% to 50%. Newspapers. Bible 1998.

Also spoken in:

New Caledonia

Language name	BISLAMA
Population	1,200 in New Caledonia (1982 SIL).
Alternate names	BICHELAMAR
Comments	Bible in press (1996). See main entry under Vanuatu.