Polynesian

(1) Eastern: the language of the brown Polynesians of the S. Pacific. It is spoken in many dialects, such as Maori , Samoan , Tongan , Tahitian , Hawaian , Niuen . A large percentage of words in Eastern Polynesian are identical with Malayan , to which family it undoubtedly belongs.     W. G. L.   (2) Western: the language spoken by the black Polynesians or those of Papuan origin. The different dialects are very numerous, and widely distributed over the New He brides, Loyalty Is., New Caledonia, .     W. G. L.   See Kelænonesian , Mic rones i an . ☞