With a population of only about 9 million people, this island nation boasts a staggering number of living languages.
Linguistic Marvel:
- 🌐 Over 800 Languages: There are 840 indigenous languages spoken here, representing about 12% of the world's total languages.
- ⛰️ Geographic Isolation: The rugged terrain of deep valleys and dense jungles kept tribes separated for thousands of years, allowing distinct languages to evolve.
Common Tongue:
- 🤝 Tok Pisin: To communicate across tribes, most people use Tok Pisin, an English-based creole that serves as the national lingua franca.