Central Pacific | |
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Fijian–Polynesian | |
Geographic distribution: |
Fiji and Polynesia |
Linguistic classification: | Austronesian
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Subdivisions: | |
The Central Pacific languages
Green is East Fijian, pink Western Fijian – Rotuman, and ocher Polynesian (not shown: Rapa Nui) |
The family of Central Pacific languages, also known as Fijian–Polynesian, are a branch of the Oceanic languages.
Analysis of the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database (2008)[1] gave full support to the unity of Central Pacific, of a primary split with Bau (East Fijian), a secondary split with Rotuman + West Fijian, and the unity of Polynesian. This contradicts the traditional classification of the East Fijian languages being closest to Polynesian.
The same analysis showed a relationship with the Micronesian languages at a 70% confidence level.