Te Pelenise Foliki — in Tuvaluan.
The Tuvaluan language, also known as Te Gana Tuvalu, is an interesting and unique Polynesian language with several noteworthy aspects. It belongs to the Austronesian language family, closely related to the Ellicean group. It is more or less distantly related to all other Polynesian languages, such as Hawaiian, Māori, Tahitian, Samoan, Tokelauan and Tongan.
The Tuvaluan language has a relatively simple phonological system with five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and a limited number of consonants. It is noted for the absence of the consonant sounds “s,” “z,” and “f.” Tuvaluan uses a verb-subject-object (VSO) word order, which is typical of Polynesian languages. It also features possessive markers that indicate the relationship between the possessor and the possessed.
There are slight variations in the Tuvaluan language spoken across the different islands of Tuvalu. However, the dialects are mutually intelligible. The language is an integral part of Tuvaluan culture and identity. It is used in everyday communication, traditional ceremonies, and oral storytelling.
Tuvaluan has a rich oral tradition, with many traditional stories, myths, and legends passed down through generations. Written literature in Tuvaluan is less common, but efforts are being made to document and publish more works in the language.
English is also an official language of Tuvalu, and there is significant bilingualism. This has led to some borrowing of English words into Tuvaluan, particularly for modern concepts and technology.
