Niuafoʻou language
| Niuafoʻou | |
|---|---|
| Ko te lea faka Niuafoʻou | |
| Native to | Tonga |
Native speakers | 500 (2015) |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | num |
| Glottolog | niua1240 |
Niuafoʻou is not endangered according to the classification system of the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger | |
Niuafoʻou, or Niuafoʻouan, is the language spoken on Tonga's northernmost island, Niuafoʻou.
Niuafoʻouan has traditionally been classified as closest to ʻUvean and Tokelauan, in an East Uvean–Niuafoʻou branch. However, recent research suggests that it is closest to its neighbour, Tongan, as one of the Tongic languages.
In September 2022 language campaigners called for it to be taught in primary schools on Niuafo’ou.