(Redirected from Bislama language)
| Bislama | |
|---|---|
| Bichelamar | |
| Bislama | |
 A sign in Bislama written in boustrophedon Avoiuli script, from the island of Pentecost. The top-left reads, sab senta blong melenisian institiut blong tijim saen. filosofi. hiumaniti mo teknoloji. lisa vilij lolovini (Sap Centre of the Melanesian Institute for teaching science, philosophy, humanity and technology, Lisaa village, Central Pentecost). | |
| Pronunciation | [biˈslama] |
| Native to | Vanuatu |
| Region | Vanuatu |
Native speakers | 10,000 (2011)[1] 200,000 L2 speakers[citation needed] |
English Creole
| |
| Latin, Avoiuli (local) | |
| Official status | |
Official language in | Vanuatu |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-1 | bi |
| ISO 639-2 | bis |
| ISO 639-3 | bis |
| Glottolog | bisl1239 |
| ELP | VU |
| Linguasphere | 52-ABB-ce |
Bislama (English: /ˈbɪsləmɑː/ BISS-lə-mah;[2]
More than 95% of Bislama words are of English origin, whilst the remainder comprises a few dozen words from French as well as some specific vocabulary inherited from various languages of Vanuatu—although these are essentially limited to flora and fauna terminology.[4] While the influence of these vernacular languages is low on the vocabulary side, it is very high in the morphosyntax. As such, Bislama can be described simply as a language with an English vocabulary and an Oceanic grammar and phonology.[5]
Scholars highlight the role of Bislama in undermining the vitality of Vanuatu's indigenous languages.[6]