The Languages of Pentecost Island

It is appropriate that Pentecost Island in Vanuatu was named after the day on which the apostles began speaking in tongues. This island of 15,000 people is home to five unique native languages (with a dozen dialects between them), in addition to Vanuatu's three official languages, which are all widely spoken here.

Working together with colleagues and students at Ranwadi College on Pentecost, and with chiefs, elders, schoolteachers and other residents from all over the island, I have begun a project to produce a short dictionary and phrasebook in all eight of these languages. The book will also attempt to note differences between dialects, and differences between old and modern usages of words.

The eight languages included are:

English and French - the languages used in Pentecost's schools, and by the majority of foreign visitors to the island.
Bislama (Pidgin) - Vanuatu's official national language, and its lingua franca.
Raga (Hano) - the language of nothern Pentecost.
Apma - the language of central Pentecost, which has three distinct dialects.
Sowa - the moribund former language of south-central Pentecost, which many locals are keen not to forget.
Ske (Seke) - an endangered and undocumented language spoken by a mere 500 people in south-western Pentecost.
Sa (Saa) - the language of southern Pentecost, which comes in a bewildering variety of dialects.

Click here for a draft language map

Some of Pentecost's languages and dialects have received the attention of linguists, and a handful of books have been produced in them, but others have never really been studied. One of the languages is more-or-less extinct, remembered only by older people who lament that their ancestors' language will soon be lost. Writing the language down could help ensure that it is not forgotten. Even in the better-documented languages, little of the information produced is available and accessible to local people.

The benefits of this project will include:

Providing a record of older words that have changed or been lost (largely as a result of the influence of Bislama).
Providing a general survey of Pentecost's languages and dialects that could provide a starting point for further linguistic research.
Recording moribund languages and dialects now remembered only by a few elderly people who may not be around next time a linguist comes along.
Helping vernacular literacy in schools, where the government is now encouraging the reading and writing of local languages in addition to national ones.
Helping visitors to the island who wish to learn its languages.
Helping ecotourism and conservation by allowing local guides to translate the names of plants and animals.
Raising awareness of local languages and helping both islanders and visitors to appreciate the linguistic diversity of Pentecost Island.
Encouraging an appreciation of books among local children who may never have seen a book in their native language before.

When the book of languages is completed (hopefully in 2008), I will try to find funding to have copies of the book printed and distributed to schools and communities on Pentecost. I will also investigate the possibility of selling the book to tourists as a means of raising money to help the island's schools, most of which are poor and badly in need of resources.

Nobody on Pentecost (or, as far as I know, on any other major island in Vanuatu) has ever attempted to produce an all-purpose book in all the local languages, so this is an exciting project - but also a daunting one. Any help that anybody is able to provide for the project would be greatly appreciated.

In particular I am keen to hear from anyone who...

...has ever tried to learn any of Pentecost's native languages (or related languages on neighbouring islands).
...knows of any old or obscure sources of information on these languages, other than those mentioned in recent linguistic publications.
...has experience of language learning in Vanuatu and has any opinions about the best design and layout for the book.
...knows of organisations that might be willing to provide funding for distribution of the book to local schools.
...has any general comments or suggestions.

Please contact Andrew Gray if you need more information or might be able to help with this project.

Thank you! Merci! Tangkyu! Tabeana! Kaabiah! Mi mbariev! Kakasoan!

More information about Pentecost Island

Web site by Andrew Gray