Niuafoʻou language
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Niuafoʻou, or Niuafoʻouan, is the language spoken on Tonga's northernmost island, Niuafoʻou.
Niuafoʻouan has traditionally been classified as closest to ʻUvean and Tokelauan, in an East Uvean–Niuafoʻou branch. However, recent research[1] suggests that it is closest to its neighbour, Tongan, as one of the Tongic languages.
In September 2022 language campaigners called for it to be taught in primary schools on Niuafo’ou.[2]
Phonology
The phonology of Niuafoʻou is similar to that of Tongan, with twelve consonants and five vowel phonemes.
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | Template:IPA link | Template:IPA link | |
| Mid | Template:IPA link | Template:IPA link | |
| Low | Template:IPA link |
Vowels are more centralized when unstressed. Script error: No such module "IPA". and Script error: No such module "IPA". are de-voiced under some conditions.[3]
Sometimes the phoneme Script error: No such module "IPA". is realized as a apico-alveolar flap (Template:IPAslink). Script error: No such module "IPA". is only realized as Template:IPAslink at the beginning of words. In the middle of words, it is either Template:IPAslink or Template:IPAslink.[3]
Syllable structure
Niuafoʻou has a very simple syllable structure, (C)V. However, it is apparently transitioning towards allowing consonant clusters, due to the influence of foreign languages and the de-voicing of vowels.[3]
References
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