Rotuman (Fäeag Rotuma)

Rotuman is a member of the Oceanic branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language family. It is spoken mainly in the Rotuma islands of Fiji. In 2002 there were about 7,500 speakers of Rotuman, which is also known as Rotunan or Rutuma.

Rotuman was first written by French and English missionaries, who developed different spelling systems for the language. Today the system invented by the English Methodist missionary Reverend C. M. Churchward in the 1920s and 1930s is generally used. He also produced the "Rotuman Grammar and Dictionary".

Rotuman alphabet and pronunciation

Rotuman alphabet and pronunciation

Download an alphabet chart for Rotuman

Sample text in Rotuman (Lord's Prayer)

'Otomis Ö'faat täe 'e lạgi,
'Ou asa la äf'ȧk la ma'ma',
'Ou pure'aga la leum, 'ou rere la sok,
fak ma 'e lạgi, la tape'ma 'e rän te'.
'Äe la naam se 'ạmisa, 'e terạnit 'e 'i,
ta 'etemis tela'a la tạumar,
Ma 'äe la fạu'ạkia te' ne 'otomis sara,
la fak ma ne 'ạmis tape'ma re vạhia se iris ne sar se 'ạmisag.
Ma 'äe se hoa' 'ạmis se faksara; 'äe la sại'ạkia 'ạmis 'e raksa'a.
Ko pure'aga, ma ne'ne'i, ma kolori, mou ma ke se 'äeag, se av se 'es gata'ag ne tore. 'Emen

Sample videos in and about Rotuman

Information about Rotuman | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Links

Information about the Rotuman language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotuman_language
http://www.rotuma.net/os/Language.html
http://www.linguistlist.org/issues/13/13-1879.html

Online Rotuman lessons
http://www.hawaii.edu/oceanic/rotuma/os/LanguageLessons/lessons.htm

Oceanic languages

Adzera, Ahamb, Äiwoo, Aneityum, Apma, Araki, Are, ꞌAreꞌare, Arosi, ’Auhelawa, Avava, Babatana, Bola, Big Numbas, Buhutu, Bwaidoka, Caac, Cheke Holo, Dorig, Gela, Ghari, Hiri Motu, Hiw, Hoava, Kahua, Kakabai, Kaninuwa, Kokota, Kove, Kurti, Kwaio, Kwara’ae, Lau, Lehali, Lenakel, Lengo, Lewo, Longgu, Lote, Lo-Toga, Löyöp, Marovo, Maskelynes, Mato, Mavea, Mono-Alu, Motu, Mussau-Emira, Mwotlap, Nafsan, Nahavaq, Namakura, Nduke, Neve‘ei, Neverver, Ninde, North Efate, Nume, Paamese, Raga, Rotuman, Roviana, Sa, Sakao, Saliba, Siar, Sio, Ske, Tamambo, Tami, Tigak, Tirax, Tolai, Touo, Ubir, Ughele, Vitu, Vurës, Western Fijian, Yabem, Yapese

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 31.10.22

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