Micronesia

Summary

Official Name: Federated States of Micronesia
Sovereignty Status: Self-governing republic in a compact of free association with the United States, the latter providing military defense, subsidies, and access to social services
Population: 115,000
General Remarks: Micronesia consists of four states in federation: Yap, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Kosrae
Principal Languages: English
Literacy Rate: 89% (Roser and Ortiz-Ospina 2018)
International Conventions: CSICH (2012), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Bender and Capelle 1996
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Micronesia is 18. All are living languages. Of these, 17 are indigenous and 1 is non-indigenous. Furthermore, 5 are institutional, 4 are developing, 5 are vigorous, 2 are in trouble, and 2 are dying.

Languages

Chuukese chk: Chuuk state: Chuuk Lagoon, Caroline Islands; some on Pohnpei island. Users: 48,200 in Micronesia (2005 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 68,790. Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in State of Chuuk (1989, Chuuk State Constitution, Article 11(6)). Alternate Names: Chuk, Lagoon Chuukese, Ruk, Truk, Trukese Autonym: Chuuk Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Chuukic
English eng: Users: 61,320 in Micronesia, all users. L1 users: 1,320 in Micronesia (2005 UNSD). L2 users: 60,000 (Crystal 2003a). Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Kapingamarangi kpg: Pohnpei state: Caroline Islands; Kapingamarangi and Pohnpei islands. Users: 3,000 (1995 SIL). 1,000 on Kapingamarangi and 2,000 in Pohnrakied village on Pohnpei. Status: 4 (Educational). Autonym: Kapingamarangi, Kirinit Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, Samoic-Outlier, Ellicean
Kosraean kos: Kosrae state; Caroline Islands. Users: 6,620 in Micronesia (2005 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 7,890. Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in State of Kosrae (1984, Kosrae State Constitution, Article 13(1)). Alternate Names: Kusaie, Kusaiean Autonym: Kosrae Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Kusaiean
Mokilese mkj: Pohnpei state: Mokil (Mwoakiloa) atoll, southeast of Pohnpei island. Users: 1,000 (2015 P. Knapp). 135 on Mokil Atoll. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Mwoakilese Autonym: Mokil, Mwoakilloa Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Pohnpeic
Mortlockese mrl: Chuuk state: Mortlock islands southeast of Chuuk islands; some on Pohnpei island. Users: 5,900 (1989 census). 1,690 Upper Mortlock, 1,760 Mid Mortlock, 2,460 Lower Mortlock, about 1,000 elsewhere. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Mortlock, Nomoi Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Chuukic
Namonuito nmt: Chuuk state: Magur, Namonnuito and other islands. Users: 940 (1989 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Namon Weite Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Chuukic
Ngatik Men’s Creole ngm: Pohnpei state: Ngatik (Sapwuahfik) atoll, southwest of Pohnpei island. Users: 700. 500 on atoll (1983 L. Poyer), 200 on Ponape. No monolinguals. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ngatikese, Ngatikese Men’s Language Classification: Creole, English based, Pacific
Nguluwan nuw: Yap state: Ngulu atoll, 100 km south of Yap island. Users: 50 (Sakiyama 2000). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Classification: Mixed language, Yapese-Ulithi
Nukuoro nkr: Pohnpei state: Nukuoro island, about 480 km southwest of Pohnpei island. Users: 600 (2016 E. Drummond). 400 on Pohnpei, 200 on Nukuoro. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Nuguor, Nukoro Autonym: Nukuoro Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, Samoic-Outlier, Ellicean
Pááfang pfa: Chuuk state: Hall Islands of Fananu, Marilo, Nomwin, and Ruo. Users: 1,320 (1989 census). Status: 8a (Moribund). Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Chuukic
Pingelapese pif: Pohnpei state: Pingelap and Pohnpei islands. Users: 4,500 in Micronesia (2014 K. Dixon), all users. L1 users: 2,500 (1991 K. Rehg). 500 on Pingelap, about 2,000 on Ponape. Ethnic population: 6,000 (2019 K. Dixon). Total users in all countries: 5,100 (as L1: 3,100; as L2: 2,000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Pingilapese Autonym: Pingelap Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Pohnpeic
Pohnpeian pon: Pohnpei: Caroline Islands; Pohnpei island. Users: 29,000 in Micronesia (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). 24,000 on Pohnpei, 3,430 on outer islands, 280 elsewhere. Total users in all countries: 34,930. Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in State of Pohnpei (1984, Pohnpei State Constitution, Article 13(1)). Alternate Names: Ponapean Autonym: Pohnpei Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Pohnpeic
Puluwatese puw: Chuuk state: Pollap, Polowat, Pulusuk, and Tamtam islands, about 260 km west of Chuuk lagoon. Users: 1,500 (Lynch 2002c). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Puluwat Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Chuukic
Satawalese stw: Yap state: Satawal island. Users: 500 (2016 C. Fruit). Status: 5 (Developing). Autonym: Satawal Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Chuukic
Ulithian uli: Yap state: Fais, Ngulu, Sorol, and Ulithi islands. Users: 1,000 (Lynch 2002b). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Yulidiy Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Chuukic
Woleaian woe: Yap state: eastern islands, mainly Woleai (Wottegai) island and others: Eauripik, Elato, Falalop (Falalap), Falalus, Faraulep, Ifaluk, Lamotrek, Mariang, Paliau, Seliap (Sulywap), and Tegailap (Tagalap) islands; some inhabited, 22 islands total. Users: 1,630 (1987 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Chuukic
Yapese yap: Yap state: Yap island and 10 islands nearby. Users: 5,130 (2005 UNSD). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in State of Yap (1986, Yap State Constitution, Article 14(5)). Alternate Names: Waab Autonym: Thin nu Wa’ab Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Yapese

Languages by Status

1 (National)

English

[eng] 1 (National). De facto national language. 61,320 in Micronesia, all users. L1 users: 1,320 in Micronesia (2005 UNSD). L2 users: 60,000 (Crystal 2003a).

2 (Provincial)

Chuukese

[chk] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in State of Chuuk (1989, Chuuk State Constitution, Article 11(6)). 48,200 in Micronesia (2005 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 68,790.

Kosraean

[kos] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in State of Kosrae (1984, Kosrae State Constitution, Article 13(1)). 6,620 in Micronesia (2005 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 7,890.

Pohnpeian

[pon] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in State of Pohnpei (1984, Pohnpei State Constitution, Article 13(1)). 29,000 in Micronesia (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). 24,000 on Pohnpei, 3,430 on outer islands, 280 elsewhere. Total users in all countries: 34,930.

Yapese

[yap] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in State of Yap (1986, Yap State Constitution, Article 14(5)). 5,130 (2005 UNSD).

4 (Educational)

Kapingamarangi

[kpg] 4 (Educational). 3,000 (1995 SIL). 1,000 on Kapingamarangi and 2,000 in Pohnrakied village on Pohnpei.

5 (Developing)

Nukuoro

[nkr] 5 (Developing). 600 (2016 E. Drummond). 400 on Pohnpei, 200 on Nukuoro.

Satawalese

[stw] 5 (Developing). 500 (2016 C. Fruit).

Ulithian

[uli] 5 (Developing). 1,000 (Lynch 2002b).

6a (Vigorous)

Mokilese

[mkj] 6a (Vigorous). 1,000 (2015 P. Knapp). 135 on Mokil Atoll.

Namonuito

[nmt] 6a (Vigorous). 940 (1989 census).

Pingelapese

[pif] 6a (Vigorous). 4,500 in Micronesia (2014 K. Dixon), all users. L1 users: 2,500 (1991 K. Rehg). 500 on Pingelap, about 2,000 on Ponape. Ethnic population: 6,000 (2019 K. Dixon). Total users in all countries: 5,100 (as L1: 3,100; as L2: 2,000).

Puluwatese

[puw] 6a (Vigorous). 1,500 (Lynch 2002c).

Woleaian

[woe] 6a (Vigorous). 1,630 (1987 census).

6b (Threatened)

Mortlockese

[mrl] 6b* (Threatened). 5,900 (1989 census). 1,690 Upper Mortlock, 1,760 Mid Mortlock, 2,460 Lower Mortlock, about 1,000 elsewhere.

Ngatik Men’s Creole

[ngm] 6b* (Threatened). 700. 500 on atoll (1983 L. Poyer), 200 on Ponape. No monolinguals.

8a (Moribund)

Pááfang

[pfa] 8a (Moribund). 1,320 (1989 census).

8b (Nearly extinct)

Nguluwan

[nuw] 8b (Nearly extinct). 50 (Sakiyama 2000).

Maps

Federated States of Micronesia

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Micronesia with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Micronesia is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Micronesia with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Micronesia is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Micronesia in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Micronesia ($149.95, 26 page PDF)

Micronesia

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Federated States of Micronesia

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action