Bislama – The Language of Vanuatu About the Language Due to a long history of inter-island and inter village trading, many ni-Vanutau speak numerous languages. However, over 113 distinct languages and many more dialects are found throughout the group. Bislama, derived from the Beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) traders who developed a form of Pidgin English throughout the Pacific. It began as a simplified form of phonetic English, with Spanish and French colloquialisms added for good measure. As with all languages, it soon took on a life of its own; borrowing and incorporating new words and evolving of time. Today, although similar to Solomon and Papua New Guinea pidgin, it is nevertheless distinctive. Bislama, though phonetically English with a broad accent, is grammatically simpler. Being a simpler language means that complex ideas or new concepts must be described functionally. The results are descriptions and stories that can be a great deal longer rather if told in English. Spoken Bislama is relatively easy to understand if the speaker is slow and enunciates the phrases. Written Bislama is also relatively easy to comprehend. KEY PHRASES: * Wan/Tu/Tri > One/Two/Three * Mi/Yu > Me/You * Hem/Hemia > Him/Her/It/This Here * Mifala/Mifala Evriwan > Us/We/All Of Us * Olgeta > They/Them/Everyone * Yu/Yufala > You/You guys * Dei/Sava/Naet > Day/Evening/Night * Wanem/Wanem Ia? > What/What Is That? * From wanem? > Why/Why Did You? * Wota/Freswoto/Kolwota/Solwota > Water/Drinking Water/Cold Water/Ocean * Plis > Please * Tankiu Tumas > Thank You Very Much * Sori/Sori Tumas > Sorry/Very Sorry * Hamas (Long Hem)? > How Much (Is That)? * Yu Save? > Do You Know? * Mi No Save > I Do Not Know/Understand * Yu Save Tekem > You can take (it) * Mi Go Long Port Vila > I'm going to Port Vila You're welcome to take a class with me so I can teach you more! :)