Niuafoʻou language

Niuafoʻou, or Niuafoʻouan, is the language spoken on Tonga's northernmost island, Niuafoʻou.

Niuafoʻou
Ko te lea faka Niuafoʻou
Native toTonga
Native speakers
500 (2015)
Language codes
ISO 639-3num
Glottologniua1240
Niuafoʻou is not endangered according to the classification system of the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger

Niuafoʻouan has traditionally been classified as closest to ʻUvean and Tokelauan, in an East Uvean–Niuafoʻou branch. However, recent research 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.

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