Drehu | Ethnologue

A language of New Caledonia

ISO 639: dhv
Alternate Names: De’u, Dehu, Lifou, Lifouan, Lifu, Qene Drehu
Autonym: Drehu
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 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.

Location: Loyalty Islands province: Lifou and Tiga.