Alternate Names: Dehu, De’u, Lifou, Lifu, Qene Drehu
Dialects: Minimal dialect difference between the 3 districts of Wetr, Gaica and Mu.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 13,000 (2009), increasing. 60% live in greater Nouméa. Population figure adapted from 2009 census figure of 15,586 includes many second language speakers.
Language Use: Vigorous. Fairly widely spoken church and regional language, although this use decreasing with increase of French [fra]. Positive attitudes.
Language Development: Taught at secondary and junior college levels and various other schools. Poetry. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1890.
Typology: Word order depends on tense.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: New Caledonia
Other Comments: Christian.