Austronesian

The Austronesian languages constitute a major language family spoken by about 350 million people across a vast region that extends from Taiwan in the north to Easter Island in the east, Madagascar in the west, and New Zealand in the south. The name Austronesian derives from Greek roots meaning southern islands. With roughly 1,200 languages, the family is among the most widespread in the world. The core region is Taiwan and nearby areas, and most scholars view its origin there, followed by a series of maritime dispersals beginning several millennia ago.

Within the family, the Formosan languages of Taiwan are generally considered the earliest branch. The remaining languages are largely grouped into Malayo-Polynesian, which itself comprises a broad set of subgroups and branches. Malagasy of Madagascar belongs to this group, reflecting ancient seafaring ties across the Indian Ocean. Within Malayo-Polynesian, classifications vary, but commonly recognized divisions include Oceanic (languages of Micronesia, Melanesia, and much of Polynesia) and various Western and Central branches that include Malay, Indonesian, Filipino, Tahitian, Samoan, Maori, Hawaiian, and many others.

Geographic spread and cultural impact: The Austronesian expansion is linked to seafaring, agriculture, and navigation. Today the languages are prominent in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean, with Madagascar representing one of the most far-flung branches.