Language in Vanuatu

Bislama is commonly used for communication between people from different islands and in urban areas. English and French have major roles in education, government, law and other formal institutions. The Constitution recognizes all three as official languages and protects local languages as part of the country's heritage. It also prohibits discrimination based on language. Citizens have a constitutional right to receive government services in the official language they use. This covers notices, public announcements, instructions, decisions, press releases, newsletters, reports, questionnaires and warnings. A person does not need to prove a particular language ability to request service in Bislama, English or French. Vanuatu's public institutions are not generally required to provide every service in every local language, so access in an Indigenous language often depends on local staff, community support or an interpreter. The Language Services Department, abbreviated as LSD, works under the Ministry of the Prime Minister and provides translation, revision, interpretation, terminology management and language awareness services. The State Law Office prepares legislation in English and French, while Parliament records debates in Bislama, English and French. The Vanuatu National Language Council supports Bislama standardization, vernacular education, literature, language records and media advice. Vernacular means a local community language used in everyday life. Many such languages are mainly transmitted through families and communities. Kastom refers to customary cultural practices and traditions closely connected with local identity. English and French are the principal languages of instruction. The National Language Policy supports the use of Bislama and local languages in school life and learning support, especially in the early years. In Years 9 and 10, schools teach in English or French and add the other language. The extent of local language support varies between schools and islands, and no general right to complete education in a particular vernacular is established by the available evidence. The 2020 Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics census reported that about 92.2 percent of people could speak an Indigenous language either easily or with difficulty, about 80 percent had an Indigenous first language, and about 70 percent used one daily. The figures differ between urban and rural areas. An Indigenous language was reported as the language of upbringing for about 69.5 percent of urban residents and 89.3 percent of rural residents. In Port Vila, about 25 percent reported Bislama as their language of upbringing, compared with about 30.7 percent in Luganville. These figures depend on the question and reference group used in the census. Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation provides national radio, television and online media. National media and government information commonly use Bislama, English and French. Local languages remain significant in community and cultural settings, but national coverage is not available in every language. The Vanuatu Cultural Centre, also called Vanuatu Kaljoral Senta, documents languages, oral traditions, kastom and history through a network of more than 100 volunteer Indigenous fieldworkers. Research is made available in local languages where possible. Language also affects democratic and legal participation. The Electoral Office provides candidate and voter information in Bislama, English and French. Election petitions may be submitted in any of the three official languages, and the Supreme Court provides an interpreter. Parliamentary petitions may use French and English or Bislama. A person who cannot obtain an official language service can complain to the Ombudsman, who reports to Parliament on compliance with multilingualism. No general fee for language access is documented, and no nationwide binding translation deadline has been established. The Ombudsman has called for simultaneous provision or delivery within a reasonable time. Staffing and budget shortages can still cause delays, especially for interpretation.