Who lives in Vanuatu?
Approximately 200,000 people live in the island chain. Over 80% of the population
is ni-Vanuatu, the local term for their indigenous peoples. Those from other backgrounds,
such as: Australian, Chinese, Japanese, European, American, New Zealander and other
Pacific islanders comprise the minority in citizenship or residency.
Vanuatu claims the highest proportion of languages to populace in the world. 109
indigenous languages have been documented as being spoken in Vanuatu. The three
languages recognized as “national” are Bislama, English and French. The lingua franca
Bislama, often heard in the two town areas, is becoming more widely used by rural
ni-Vanuatu. As a trade language,
Bislama functions well in allowing diverse linguistic groups to communicate on a
basic level. However, there are limitations (such as a small vocabulary in which
one word could have several different meanings and a lack of words for many abstract
or complex concepts) that make dialogue difficult on a spiritual level.
The education system teaches in either English or French, not Bislama (resulting
in an inconsistent written standard for Bislama). Most teaching is by rote, as materials
are limited, and classrooms are frequently overcrowded. Some children, especially
in rural areas, cannot continue schooling because of financial or geographic constraints.
Children who do succeed in finishing the primary level face an extended absence
from their home environment, in order to attend secondary boarding school (often
on another island). Literacy estimates vary.
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