Central Pacific languages

The Central Pacific languages, also known as Fijian–Polynesian languages, are a branch of the Oceanic languages spoken in Fiji and Polynesia.

Central Pacific
Fijian–Polynesian
Geographic distribution	Fiji and Polynesia
Linguistic classification	Austronesian Malayo-Polynesian Oceanic Central–Eastern Oceanic Central Pacific
Proto-language	Proto-Central Pacific
Subdivisions	West Fijian – Rotuman East Fijian – Polynesian
Language codes
Glottolog	cent2060
The Central Pacific languages Pink is Western Fijian – Rotuman; ocher East Fijian – Polynesian (not shown: Rapa Nui)

Classification

Ross et al. (2002) classify the languages as a linkage.

• Central Pacific
  • Western
    • Rotuman
    • Western Fijian linkage
      • Namosi-Naitasiri-Serua
      • Western Fijian (Nadroga, Waya)
  • East Central Pacific linkage
    • Eastern Fijian linkage
      • Bauan (standard Fijian)
      • Gone Dau
      • Lauan
      • Lomaiviti
    • Polynesian family

The West Fijian languages are more closely related to Rotuman, and East Fijian to Polynesian, than they are to each other, but subsequent contact has caused them to reconverge. Rotuman has been influenced by Polynesian languages, evident today by the presence of two reflex sets (one inherited, one from Polynesian).

Further reading

• Geraghty, Paul A. (1983). "The History of the Fijian Languages". Oceanic Linguistics Special Publications (19). University of Hawai'i Press: i–483. ISSN 0078-3188. JSTOR 20006700.