Palauan Language - Classification

Classification

Palauan is not a Micronesian or Polynesian language like most of its neighbors; rather, like Chamorro, it constitutes a possibly independent branch of the Malayo-Polynesian languages. Its origins are thus somewhat obscure. A 2008 analysis of the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database suggested at 85% confidence level that it is closest to the Central–Eastern Malayo-Polynesian languages.