Rapa

RAY

shifting

Alternate Names: Rapan

Dialects: May be a dialect of Austral ,.

Genealogy:

Austronesian

Malayo-Polynesian

Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian

Eastern Malayo-Polynesian

Oceanic

Central-Eastern Oceanic

Remote Oceanic

Central Pacific

East Fijian-Polynesian

Polynesian

Nuclear

East

Central

Demographics: 300 (2007 census). Ethnic population: 480. 480 (on the island; many more on other islands, esp. Tahiti).

Language Use: Endangered (2000 D. Tryon). Teachers desire to preserve Rapa. Shifting to Tahitian [tah] (Wurm 2007). Mainly adults. Also use French [fra]. French proficiency limited. Also use Tahitian [tah].

Language Development: Dictionary. Bible portions: 2008.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: French Polynesia

Other Comments: Christian (Protestant).