Iaai

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A language of New Caledonia

ISO 639-3
iai
Alternate Names
Hwen Iaai, Iai, Yai
User Population

4,080 (2009 census). 57% live in greater Nouméa.

Location

Loyalty Islands province: Ouvéa.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

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

SVO; 2 noun classes (proper and common) with 4 collective prefixes and 20 classificatory prefixes; dual and paucal numbers; definite and indefinite articles; 37 consonants and 20 vowels; stress on first syllable; inclusive/exclusive pronouns; alienable/inalienable possession.

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Many also use Fagauvea [uve] (Lynch 2002a).

Language Development

Taught in primary schools. Taught in secondary schools, at one junior high school. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1901.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Iaai
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.