Marquesan, North | Ethnologue

A language of French Polynesia

ISO 639: mrq
Autonym: ’Eo ’Enana
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 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. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1995.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Marquesan, North
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian.

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