Marquesan, North

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A language of French Polynesia

ISO 639-3
mrq
Autonym
’Eo ’Enana
User Population

5,390 (2007 census). Ethnic population: 6,100 (2017 census).

Location

Marquesas Islands: Eiao, Hatutu, Matu One, Motuiti, Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka, and Ua Pou islands.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting). Statutory language of national identity (2004, Organic Law, No. 2004-192, Article 57).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, East, Central, Marquesic
Dialects

Hatutu, Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka, Ua Pou. Wurm and Hattori (1981) list North Marquesan and South Marquesan [mqm] as 2 languages. North Marquesan dialects all inherently intelligible. 50% intelligibility of Tahitian [tah]. Lexical similarity: 45%–67% with Tahitian [tah], 73% with Mangareva [mrv] and Rarotonga [rar], 70% with Hawaiian [haw], 29% with Tuamotuan [pmt].

Typology

VSO; noun classifiers; dual number; definite and dual articles; passives; 8 consonants and 10 vowels; stress on last vowel (if long) or on the penultimate vowel; inclusive/exclusive pronouns; inalienable/alienable possession.

Language Use

Most shifting to French [fra] (Cablitz 2006).

Language Development

Taught in primary schools as subject. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1995.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Marquesan, North
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.