Central Pacific
Fijian–Polynesian
Geographic
distribution
Fiji and Polynesia
Linguistic classificationAustronesian
Proto-languageProto-Central Pacific
Subdivisions
  • West Fijian – Rotuman
  • East Fijian – Polynesian
Glottologcent2060
The Central Pacific languages
Pink is Western Fijian – Rotuman; ocher East Fijian – Polynesian (not shown: Rapa Nui)

The Central Pacific languages, also known as Fijian–Polynesian languages, are a branch of the Oceanic languages spoken in Fiji and Polynesia.

Classification

Ross et al. (2002) classify the languages as a linkage.[1]

The West Fijian languages are more closely related to Rotuman, and East Fijian to Polynesian, than they are to each other, but subsequent contact has caused them to reconverge. Rotuman has been influenced by Polynesian languages, evident today by the presence of two reflex sets (one inherited, one from Polynesian).

References

  1. Lynch, John, Malcolm Ross & Terry Crowley. 2002. The Oceanic languages. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon Press.
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