The Tahitic languages are a group of East Central Polynesian languages, a group which also includes Rapan and the Marquesic languages.
The two most important languages of the group, by number of speakers are Tahitian language and New Zealand Maori. Tahitian is the main language of the Society Islands, and is used as a lingua franca throughout much of French Polynesia, while Maori is spoken by a sizable minority in New Zealand.
Other languages of the group include:
- Austral (or Tubuaian ), spoken in the Austral Islands
- Penhryn (or Tongarevan ), spoken on Penrhyn (Tongareva) in the northern Cook Islands
- Rarotongan spoken in the southern Cook Islands
- Rakahanga-Manihiki spoken on Rakahanga and Manihiki in the northern Cook Islands
- Tuamotuan spoken throughout the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia, with the exception of Puka-Puka and the Disappointment Islands.
External Link
Ethnologue classification of Tahitic languages
