The thirty New Caledonian languages also known as Kanak languages form a branch of the Southern Oceanic languages . Their speakers are known as Kanaks . One language is extinct, one is critically endangered, four are severely endangered, five are endangered, and another five are vulnerable to extinction.
Populations of speakers of the native languages of New Caledonia. Grey, green, and red are the languages of the New Caledonian branch.
Loyalty Islands
Mainland New Caledonian
Southern New Caledonian
Extreme Southern
Mid-Southern
Xârâcùù–Xârâgurè:
Zire–Tîrî:
Wailic
Ajië
Arhâ (severely endangered)
Arhö (critically endangered)
Neku (severely endangered)
Orowe (endangered)
Northern New Caledonian
The languages of the northern Voh –Koné area (*) are often discussed as a unit.
List of New Caledonian languages
edit
Sprache
Alternative Spelling
Speakers
Commune(s)
Province
Customary Area
Dialects
1
Nyâlayu language
Yalâyu
1522
Ouégoa , Belep , Pouébo
North Province
Hoot Ma Waap
Pooc/Haat (Belep) ; Puma/Paak/Ovac (Arama, Balade)
2
Kumak language
Fwa Kumak
1100 (2009)
Koumac , Poum
North Province
Hoot ma Waap
Nêlêmwâ (Nénéma tribe ), Nixumwak
3
Caac language
-
890
Pouébo
North Province
Hoot Ma Waap
Cawac (variant spoken at Conception in Le Mont-Dore since 1865)
4
Yuanga language
Yûâga
1992
Kaala-Gomen , Ouégoa
North Province
Hoot Ma Waap
-
5
Jawe language
-
729
Hienghène , Pouébo
North Province
Hoot Ma Waap
-
6
Nemi language
Nèmi
768
Hienghène
North Province
Hoot Ma Waap
Ouanga, Ouélis, Kavatch
7
Fwâi language
-
1131
Hienghène
North Province
Hoot Ma Waap
-
8
Pije language
-
161
Hienghène
North Province
Hoot Ma Waap
Tha (Tiendanite)
9
Pwaamei language
-
219
Voh
North Province
Hoot Ma Waap
Naakâ (Temala, Voh); Dhaak/Yaak (Fatenaoue)
10
Pwapwâ language
-
16
Voh
North Province
Hoot Ma Waap
-
11
Voh-Koné dialects
-
878
Voh , Koné
North Province
Hoot Ma Waap
Bwatoo (Oudjo, Népou, Baco and once spoken on Koniène Island), Haeke, Haveke, Hmwaeke, Havele, Vamale (Haute Tipindje), Waamwang
12
Cèmuhî language
Camuki
2051
Touho , Koné , and Poindimié
North Province
Paici Camuki
-
13
Paicî language
Paici
5498
Poindimié , Ponérihouen , Koné , Poya
North Province
Paici-Camuki
-
14
Ajië language
A'jië
4044
Houaïlou , Ponérihouen , Poya , Kouaoua
North Province
Ajië-Aro
-
15
Arhâ language
-
35
Poya
North Province
Ajië-Aro
-
16
Arhö language
Arö
62
Poya
North Province
Ajië-Aro
-
17
Orowe language
Abwébwé
587
Bourail
South Province
Ajië-Aro
-
18
Neku language
Néku
221
Bourail Moindou
South Province
Ajië-Aro
-
19
Sîchë
Zîchë, Sîshëë
4 (extinct since April 2006)
Bourail , Moindou
South Province
Ajië-Aro
Sometimes considered a dialect of Ajië
20
Tîrî language
Tirî
264
La Foa , Sarraméa
South Province
Xaracuu
Tîrî, Mea
21
Xaracuu language
Xaracuu
3784
Canala , La Foa , Bouloupari
South Province
Xaracuu
-
22
Xârâgurè language
-
566
Thio, New Caledonia
South Province
Xaracuu
Language close to Xârâcùù
23
Ndrumbea language
Drubea
946
Païta , Dumbéa , Nouméa , Yaté
South Province
Djubéa-Kaponé
-
24
Numèè language
Numee/Kapone
1814
Yaté , Mont-Dore , Isle of Pines (New Caledonia)
South Province
Djubéa-Kaponé
Xêrê (Yaté), Wêê (île Ouen), kwênyii (Isle of Pines (New Caledonia) )
25
Nengone language
-
6377
Maré Island , Tiga
Loyalty Islands
Nengone
Iwateno (ceremonial/chiefly language)
26
Drehu language
-
11338
Lifou Island
Loyalty Islands
Drehu
Miny (ceremonial/chiefly language)
27
Iaai language
-
1562
Ouvéa Island
Loyalty Islands
Iaai
-