Tahitian

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A language of French Polynesia

ISO 639-3
tah
Population

63,000 in French Polynesia (2007 census). Population total all countries: 68,260.

Location

Society Islands, some islands in Tuamotus including the Mihiroa group. Also in New Caledonia, New Zealand, Vanuatu.

Language Maps
Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2004, Organic Law, No. 2004-192, Article 57).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, East, Central, Tahitic
Dialects

Lexical similarity: 85% with Rarotongan [rar], 76% with Hawaiian [haw].

Language Development
Taught in primary and secondary schools. Poetry. Magazines. New media. Radio programs. Films. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1838–1913.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian.