The United Nations says it wants to see the unique language of Norfolk Island preserved. The Islanders are descendants of Manx mutineer Fletcher Christian and the Bounty crew – the surname Christian is still one of the most common among the 2,000 inhabitants. The Bounty mutineers initially settled on Pitcairn Island in 1790 but settled Norfolk seventy years later because of overcrowding.
The patois – containing a smattering of Manx - is under threat from English, although it’s had a revival in recent years. UNESCO is now backing a campaign to keep the unique tongue, including it in the Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger of Disappearing.
(Source: Manx Radio)
on Aug 24th, 2007 at 17:32
Where do you get the idea that there is a bit of Dutch in the language?
As far as I know, there were no Dutch people on the Bounty, and the language page itself does not mention Dutch.
I’ve also checked the language and I can hardly find any Dutch in it.
on Aug 24th, 2007 at 20:51
The reference to Dutch was in the report quoted from Manx Radio. Since you brought it to my attention I have also checked and I agree that there seems to be little evidence of Dutch. I have removed that reference, since it was not central to the story.