Kanak cultures and languages
New Caledonia is home to 28 recognised Kanak languages. The Kanak language dictionary used here covers nine of them with 19,655 entries. This assistant answers in plain terms about Pacific languages, New Caledonia culture and everyday Kanak vocabulary with source-linked references.
Coastal view of Lifou with the Notre-Dame chapel. Geographic context for Drehu, not a representation of all Drehu speakers.
Pujolle Sylvain · Image record · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized and converted to WebP.
How many Kanak languages are there?
The Académie des Langues Kanak describes 28 Kanak languages across eight linguistic and customary areas. Kanak is not the name of a single language. When looking up a word, specify the language, such as Drehu, Nengone or Paicî.
Source : ALK — Aires coutumières
How should you check a translation?
Pasifika AI uses an index covering nine languages, not every Kanak language. An absent entry does not prove that a word does not exist. Open the dictionary entry, read its definition and context, and ask a speaker or relevant institution to confirm important uses.
Source : Dictionnaire des langues Kanak
Languages and peoples
The institutions consulted
Académie des Langues Kanakalk.nc
Sénat coutumier de Nouvelle-Calédoniesenat-coutumier.nc
Centre culturel Tjibaoucentretjibaou.nc
Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonieunc.nc
CNRS-LACITOlacito.cnrs.fr
Collection Pangloss (CNRS)pangloss.cnrs.fr
Questions to start with
- What is Kanak culture in New Caledonia?
- What are the 28 recognized Kanak languages and where are they spoken?
- How do you say "the sea" in Drehu and Nengone?
- What does the yam represent in Kanak ceremonies and culture?
- What is the role of the great house and its roof spire in Kanak society?
- What did the 1998 Nouméa Accord establish?
- What is kaneka music and where does it come from?
What the assistant will not do
The assistant can make mistakes. It should distinguish peoples and state its limits. Lexical checking covers the nine languages in the Kanak index; it does not certify every Pacific translation. For important uses, consult the source and a relevant speaker or institution.
Editorial update : · Pasifika AI / Kanaky Tech