Niuafoou, or Niuafoʻouan, is the language spoken on Tonga's northernmost island, Niuafoou. Niuafoʻouan has traditionally been classified as closest to Uvean 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.

Phonology

The phonology of Niuafoʻou is similar to that of Tongan, with twelve consonants and five vowel phonemes. Vowels are more centralized when unstressed. and are de-voiced under some conditions. Sometimes the phoneme is realized as a apico-alveolar flap. is only realized as at the beginning of words. In the middle of words, it is either or.

Syllable structure

Niuafoʻou has a very simple syllable structure, (C)V. However, it is apparently transitioning towards allowing consonant clusters, due to the influence of foreign languages and the de-voicing of vowels.