SMO ISO 639-3
Samoan
Gagana Samoa Autonym
A language of Samoa
- ISO 639
- smo
- Autonym
- Gagana Samoa
- Population
- 176,000 in Samoa (2019). Total users in all countries: 422,540.
- Language Status
- 1 (National). Statutory national language (1960, Constitution, Article 54).
- 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, Samoan
- Dialects
- No significant dialect variation, but important register-based distinctions in phonology. Lexical similarity: 70% with Wallisian [wls], 67% with Rarotongan [rar], 66% with Tongan [ton].
- Typology
- VSO; prepositions; noun head initial; dual number; definite and indefinite articles; ergativity; causatives; 9 consonants, 10 vowels, 6 diphthongs; non-tonal; stress on penultimate syllable; inclusive/exclusive pronouns.
- Language Development
- Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1855–1970.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Samoan
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
- Other Comments
- Christian.
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Widespread.
- Language Status
- 4 (Educational)
- Other Comments
- Christian. View other languages of American Samoa
Language Name
Samoan
User Population
49,600 in American Samoa (2010 World Factbook).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Australia
Language Name
Samoan
User Population
44,900 in Australia (2016 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Fiji
Language Name
Samoan
User Population
1,220 in Fiji (2017).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of New Zealand
Language Name
Samoan
User Population
86,400 in New Zealand (2013 census).
- Location
- California; Hawaii; Washington.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of United States
Language Name
Samoan
User Population
64,100 in United States (2015 census).
Map
Size and Vitality
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