Pitcairn-Norfolk

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A language of Norfolk Island

ISO 639-3
pih
Alternate Names
Norfolkese, Pitcairn English
User Population

710 in Norfolk Island (2017 World Factbook). Total users in all countries: 1,786.

Location

Norfolk Island.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a* (Vigorous). Statutory language of national identity (2004, Norfolk Island Language (Norf’k) Act No. 25, Section 4), restrictions in Sec. 5 of Act No. 25 of 2004 bar meaningful official use.

Classification
Creole, English based, Pacific
Dialects

Norfolk English.

Language Use

Valued for identity preservation. It is in a diglossic relationship with standard British English [eng] (Wurm 2007). Also use English [eng].

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Pitcairn-Norfolk
Other Comments

Developed from mutineers who settled on Pitcairn in 1790. All were removed to Norfolk in 1859, after which a few returned. Some descendants of Pitcairn Islanders now in Australia and New Zealand.

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