Drehu

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A language of New Caledonia

ISO 639-3
dhv
Alternate Names
De’u, Dehu, Lifou, Lifouan, Lifu, Qene Drehu
Autonym
Drehu
User Population

13,000 (2009), increasing. 60% live in greater Nouméa. Population figure adapted from 2009 census figure of 15,586 includes many second language speakers.

Location

Loyalty Islands province: Lifou and Tiga.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Loyalty Islands
Dialects

Minimal dialect difference between the 3 districts of Wetr, Gaica and Mu.

Typology

Word order depends on tense.

Language Use

Vigorous. Fairly widely spoken church and regional language, although this use decreasing with increase of French [fra]. Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Taught at secondary and junior college levels and various other schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1890.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Drehu
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.