Languages of New Caledonia
See language map.[See also SIL publications on the languages of New Caledonia.]
New Caledonia. 234,000. Melanesian 45%. National or official language: French. A French territory. Literacy rate: 85% among Melanesians. Immigrant languages: Tahitian (7,000), Vietnamese (5,000). Also includes Chinese (500). Information mainly from P. Geraghty 1988; S. Schooling 1990; D. Tryon 1995; S. Wurm and S. Hattori 1981. Blind population: 30. The number of individual languages listed for New Caledonia is 40. Of those, 39 are living languages and 1 has no known speakers.
| Ajië | [aji]
4,040 (1996 census). Houailou: east coast Monéo to Kouaoua and inland valleys.
Alternate names: A’jie, Anjie, Houailou, Wai, Wailu.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, South, Wailic
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| Arhâ | [aqr]
35 (1996 census). Poya, upper valleys.
Alternate names: Ara.
Dialects: Different from Arho [aok].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, South, Wailic
Nearly extinct.
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| Arhö | [aok]
62 (1996 census), decreasing. Poya, Cradji, Nékliai villages.
Alternate names: Aro.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, South, Wailic
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| Bislama | [bis]
1,200 in New Caledonia (1982 SIL). Mainly Noumea.
Alternate names: Bichelamar.
Classification: Creole, English-based, Pacific
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| Bwatoo | [bwa]
300 (1982 SIL). Voh-Kone: Baco, Gatope, Oundjo; Poya: Népou.
Dialects: May be Haveke [hvk] dialect. Wurm and Hattori (1981) treat it as dialect of Voh-Kone.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, North, Hmwaveke
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| Caac | [msq]
890 (1996 census). Pouébo, northeast coast.
Alternate names: Moenebeng.
Dialects: Pouébo (Pwebo), La Conception (St. Louis).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, Extreme Northern
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| Cemuhî | [cam]
2,050 (1996 census). Touho: east coast from Congouma to Wagap and inland valleys.
Alternate names: Camuhi, Camuki, Tyamuhi, Wagap.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, Central
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| Dehu | [dhv]
11,300 (1996 census). Lifou, Loyalty Islands.
Alternate names: De’u, Drehu, Lifou, Lifu.
Dialects: Losi, Wete.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Loyalty Islands
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| Dumbea | [duf]
950 (1996 census). Paita on west coast, Ounia on east coast.
Alternate names: Drubea, Dubea, Naa Dubea, Ndumbea.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, Extreme Southern
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| French | [fra]
53,400 in New Caledonia (1987). Mainly Noumea.
Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
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| Futuna, East | [fud]
3,000 in New Caledonia (1986).
Alternate names: Futunian.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, Samoic-Outlier, Futunic
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| Fwâi | [fwa]
1,130 (1996 census). Hiènghène on east coast; Ouenguip to Pindache and lower valleys.
Alternate names: Poai, Yehen, Yengen.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, North, Nemi
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| Haeke | [aek]
100 (1982 SIL). Voh-Kone: Baco.
Alternate names: ’Aeke, Aeke, Haeake.
Dialects: Wurm and Hattori (1981) treat it as dialect of Voh-Kone.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Haekic
Nearly extinct.
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| Haveke | [hvk]
300 (1982 SIL). Voh-Kone: Gatope, Oundjo, Tiéta.
Alternate names: ’Aveke, Aveke.
Dialects: Bwatoo [bwa] may be a dialect. Wurm and Hattori (1981) treat it as dialect of Voh-Kone.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern
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| Hmwaveke | [mrk]
300 (1982 SIL). Voh: Tiéta.
Alternate names: ’Moaveke, Ceta, Faa Ceta.
Dialects: Wurm and Hattori (1981) treat it as dialect of Voh-Kone.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, North, Hmwaveke
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| Iaai | [iai]
1,560 (1996 census). Ouvéa Island, Loyalty Islands.
Alternate names: Iai, Yai.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Loyalty Islands
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| Javanese, New Caledonian | [jas]
6,750 (1987). Noumea.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Javanese
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| Jawe | [jaz]
730 (1996 census). Northeast coast from Tchamboenne to Tao and upper valleys.
Alternate names: Diahoue, Njawe, Oubatch, Ubach.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, North, Nemi
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| Mea | [meg]
300 (1982 SIL). La Foa: upper valleys.
Alternate names: Ha Mea, Hameha.
Dialects: Some influences from Tiri [cir]. Wurm and Hattori (1981) treat it as dialect of Tiri [cir].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern
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| Neku | [nek]
220 (1996 census). Bourail, lower valley.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, South, Wailic
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| Nêlêmwa-Nixumwak | [nee]
950 (1996 census). Northwest coast of Koumac (Nixumwak) and Poum (Nelemwa).
Alternate names: Fwa-Goumak, Koumac, Kumak.
Dialects: Nixumwak (Kumak Koumac), Nelemwa (Nelema, Nenema).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, Extreme Northern
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| Nemi | [nem]
320 (2000 D. Tryon). East coast: upper valleys north of Hiènghène, west coast at Voh: Ouélis and upper valley.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, North, Nemi
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| Nengone | [nen]
6,500 (2000 D. Tryon). Mare, Loyalty Islands.
Alternate names: Iwatenu, Maré.
Dialects: Iwatenu is a register of respect.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Loyalty Islands
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| Numee | [kdk]
1,810 (1996 census). Yate, Touaouru, and Goro on main island south coast (Numee dialect), Isle Ouen (Ouen), and Isle of Pines (Kwenyii).
Alternate names: Duauru, Kapone, Kunie, Kwenyii, Naa Numee, Naa-Wee, Ouen, Touaouru, Tuauru, Uen, Wen.
Dialects: Numee (Touaouru), Ouen, Kwenyii (Kunie).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, Extreme Southern
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| Nyâlayu | [yly]
1,520 (1996 census). North coast, Belep Island, Arama, and Balade.
Dialects: Yalayu, Belep.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, Extreme Northern
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| Orowe | [bpk]
590 (1996 census). Bourail upper valleys: Ni, Pothé, Bouirou, Azareu.
Alternate names: Boewe.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, South, Wailic
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| Paicî | [pri]
5,500 (1996 census). East coast between Poindimié and Ponérihouen and inland valleys.
Alternate names: Ci, Paaci, Pati, Ponerihouen.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, Central
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| Pije | [piz]
160 (1996 census). Hiènghène: Tipindjé, Tiendanite, and Pouépaï.
Alternate names: Pindje, Pinje.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, North, Nemi
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| Pwaamei | [pme]
220 (1996 census). Voh: Ouélis, Témala, Tiéta.
Alternate names: Poamei.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, North
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| Pwapwa | [pop]
16 (1996 census). Voh: Boyen.
Alternate names: Poapoa.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, North
Nearly extinct.
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| Tayo | [cks]
2,000 (1996 C. Corne). South, Ploum, Mont-Dore, and especially Saint Louis, near Noumea.
Alternate names: Patois, Patois de St-Louis.
Dialects: Not intelligible with French.
Classification: Creole, French based
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| Tiri | [cir]
260 (1996 census). La Foa: lower valleys.
Alternate names: Ciri, Ha-Tiri, Tinrin.
Dialects: Some comprehension of Mea [meg].
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, South, Zire-Tiri
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| Uvean, West | [uve]
1,110 (1996 census). North and south Ouvea Atoll, Loyalty Islands.
Alternate names: Faga-Uvea, Fagauvea.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, Samoic-Outlier, Futunic
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| Vamale | [mkt]
150 (1982 SIL). East coast: (Vamale dialect) Téganpaïk, Tiouandé; west coast: (Hmwaeke dialect) Voh, Tiéta.
Alternate names: ’Moaeke, Hmwaeke, Pamale.
Dialects: Vamale, Hmwaeke.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern
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| Waamwang | [wmn]
Extinct. Voh, north.
Alternate names: Wamoang.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, North, Hmwaveke
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| Wallisian | [wls]
19,400 in New Caledonia (2000). Noumea.
Alternate names: East Uvean, Uvean, Wallisien.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, Samoic-Outlier, East Uvean-Niuafo’ou
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| Xârâcùù | [ane]
3,780 (1996 census). Canala, east coast and inland valleys.
Alternate names: Anesu, Canala, Haraneu, Kanala, Xaracii.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, South, Xaracuu-Xaragure
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| Xaragure | [axx]
570 (1996 census). Thio, east coast, and Ouinane west coast.
Alternate names: ’Aragure, Aragure, Haragure, Thio.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, South, Xaracuu-Xaragure
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| Yuaga | [nua]
1,990 (1996 census). Inland valleys between Gomen (Thuanga) and Bondé (Juanga).
Alternate names: Juanga, Nua, Nyua, Thuanga, Yuanga.
Dialects: Thuanga, Juanga.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Northern, Extreme Northern
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| Zire | [sih]
4 (1996 census). Bourail, coastal plain.
Alternate names: Nerë, Siche, Sirhe, Sîshëë, Zira.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, New Caledonian, Southern, South, Zire-Tiri
Nearly extinct.
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