What colonial languages in Oceania?
In Oceania, examples of colonial languages include:
English: English is widely spoken in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Samoa. These countries were either directly colonized by the British or came under British influence during the colonial period.
French: French is spoken in French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna, which are territories or overseas departments of France. These territories were colonized by France and continue to have French as an official language.
Dutch: In Indonesia, Dutch had significant influence during the colonial period when Indonesia was known as the Dutch East Indies. While Dutch is not as widely spoken today, it has left its mark on the Indonesian language and culture. These colonial languages, along with indigenous languages, contribute to the linguistic diversity of Oceania and reflect its complex colonial history.