What language is spoken in Tahiti?
If you’re wondering what language is spoken in Tahiti, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, you’ll learn about French, Tahitian, English, and Polynesian orality. Then, you’ll be ready to make friends on this island paradise. If you don’t speak French, don’t worry. Tahitians are incredibly friendly and will eventually warm up to you if you try to speak French in an accented, halting manner.
French
While French is the prestige language of the French Polynesia, there is a distinct Tahitian language spoken by local residents. Tahitian is a vernacular language that developed as a result of contact between Polynesians and French immigrants. It differs from standard French, in many ways, because it does not display the characteristics of pidgins. Moreover, Tahitian English is the local vernacular of the islands, whereas French is the prestige administrative language. However, despite the distinct differences between the two languages, Tahitian has been largely stable in its features and pronunciation.
In 2004, Tahiti gained Overseas Country status. The former pro-independence leader, Oscar Temaru, was the first president of the country, who resigned and was replaced by Edouard Fritch. There are two main Christian denominations on the islands, Protestant and Roman Catholic. In addition, 50% of the population is Maoi Protestant. The local government is largely independent, with the exception of the capital city, Tahiti.
Because Tahitian is a distinctly French language, many materials for Primary and Secondary school are published only in the language. Ninety-five percent of television programming in Tahiti is in French. Hymn books and scriptures, as well as adult lesson manuals and leadership handbooks, are available in both languages. While Tahitian is beautiful, French is more complete. In Tahiti, a train is translated as a “car that smokes,” whereas a helicopter is a “bird that hangs in the sky.”
Tahitian
Tahitian is a Polynesian language that is native to the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It belongs to the Eastern Polynesian group. Learn how to speak Tahitian so that you can understand native speakers. It’s not difficult to learn! Here are some tips to learn the language:
You should know the words for tropical fruits. Tahiti is known for its abundant tropical fruit. If you visit the island, learn how to say the name of your favorite fruit in Tahitian. This will make ordering tropical desserts much easier. The native people are friendly and relaxed. One of their favorite sayings is “Tiare Tahiti” (Tiare).
The official language of Tahiti is French. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and most shops and restaurants. Tahitian is easier to learn than French, and most Americans will have no problem pronouncing words. Tahitian has many vowels, which means that every word sounds the same. But Tahitian consonants are similar to English. Therefore, even if you can’t speak the language fluently, you can still get by.
The first Europeans arrived in Tahiti in the 18th century, and the locals spoke Tahitian. Early explorers tried to write down the Tahitian language and transcribed the names of 55 islands, including Tahiti. Many of these words were fictitious. Then, Protestant missionaries arrived in 1820 in a ship called the Duff, captained by James Wilson.
English
Although French is the official language of Tahiti, locals speak Tahitian. In addition to French, English is widely spoken, even in tourist areas. In the 2008 census, 83 percent of Tahitians had high blood pressure. In 2007, however, only 6 percent of the population was fluent in English. There are several reasons why English is so widely used on Tahiti. Here are a few of them.
First of all, Tahitian is a relatively small language, with five vowels and nine consonants. The consonant inventory is limited, as the language lacks phonemic dorsal consonants. The glottal stop is a genuine consonant and is characteristic of Polynesian languages. This makes pronunciations of words and place names more accurate. However, Tahitian pronunciations are not terribly difficult, and you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable.
The Tahitian language was originally spoken by the native Polynesians, but was eventually adopted by missionaries who wanted to spread the gospel. Missionaries taught native pastors in Tahitian and eventually replaced other local dialects with the Tahitian language. Today, Tahitian is spoken on approximately 100 islands in French Polynesia. There are many archaeological sites where sacred stones are placed, and these ancient symbols carry deep spiritual significance.
The official languages of Tahiti are French and Tahitian. Although the islanders prefer Tahitian, English is also widely used in tourist areas. In fact, most shops, restaurants, and hotels on the island speak both French and Tahitian. Regardless of the language spoken on the island, most Tahitians are able to communicate in English. If you’re planning to visit Tahiti, make sure to research the language.
Polynesian orality
Despite being incorporated into the French Polynesian school curriculum since 1981, the Tahitian language is undergoing a decline. A recent sociolinguistic study indicates that Tahitian has been reduced to a few very basic communication phrases. It is possible that these language practices were lost intergenerationally due to several reasons. However, the lack of linguistic knowledge among the current generation could explain some of the decline.
Various oral traditions are common in Polynesia. The tales often describe ancient events and the adventures of deified ancestors and gods. The stories are often framed in allegory, metaphor, parable, hyperbol, and personification, and are very versatile. There is no one fixed version of a tale, and it may change to suit the circumstances or the needs of the narrator.
Stories about demi-gods and culture heroes are common in each island group. As history begins to fade into the outlines of remembered stories, the tales of the culture heroes begin to take shape. Many of these heroes are connected to geographical and ecological features that are often described as the petrified remains of supernatural beings. Some stories even include a fictional tale of the ancestors of the Tahitians.
The Tahitian alphabet has 13 letters, and all the syllables end in a vowel. Tahitians also speak a form of Pacific English, although Chinese is rarely spoken. Popular Tahitian expressions include “Aita e peapea” (No problem) and “Keta o mo’oh-ray-ah” (“Welcome to the Tahitians!”
Diaspora
The word diaspora comes from the Greek word diaspeirein, which means to scatter or disperse. It describes the migration of a group of people who have maintained a common identity and cultural tradition while residing in a different country or territory. Today, the term is often used to refer to a large group of people, especially those from an ethnic or religious community that has a worldwide presence. One notable example is the Chinese diaspora, which is spoken in Tahiti.
Although Tahiti’s official language is French, the majority of the island’s residents speak Tahitian in their homes and at business. English is spoken widely in the main tourist areas, such as the resorts, but not at local hot spots. Even outside of the hotels, menus and roulettes are often written in French. It’s worth knowing a little about Tahitian culture before visiting.
There are fewer American-Jewish couples visiting Tahiti each year, partly due to the economic downturn. While some emigrated to Australia or the US, the majority of Tahitian Jews arrived during the 1960s and formed an organization called ACISPO, or the Cultural Association for Israelites and Polynesians. It is difficult to know how many Jews still live in Tahiti, but those who have remained are often proud of their heritage and culture.
Official languages
Tahitian and Hawaiian are the official languages of the French Polynesia island nation. Both languages are similar to the extent that they share a few lexical elements. In terms of vowel length, Tahitian and Hawaiian differ primarily in “tarava” and “pato,” the two terms used to define length. Nevertheless, both languages have many similarities. For example, ‘ra’i’ in Tahitian is pronounced “lani,” and ‘rangi’ is pronounced as ”are’ in Hawaiian and Rarotongan. While the language shares some similarities with Hawaiian and Maori, its lexical inventory is more limited. In fact, Tahitian “ra’i” is pronounced “lini,” while Rarotongan is pronounced “rangi.” Both languages are also similar
In addition to the French language, Tahitian is widely used in French Polynesia and in diasporic groups in New Caledonia and Vanuatu. It is also spoken by some indigenous groups in French Polynesia and elsewhere in the world. These groups are often referred to as “tahitians,” and maintain strong cultural ties to their home country. If you’re planning a trip to Tahiti, make sure to check the island’s official languages before booking your accommodations.
Although French is the official language in Tahiti, it is still a thriving language. French speakers who come to Tahiti to learn the language may be pleasantly surprised by what they find. The island’s traditional language has a strong connection to French. As a result, French-speaking Tahitians are often familiar with French. Tahitian is also widely used in Tahiti. If you’re looking for an authentic experience in Tahiti, then you should check out the following books.