Kiribati has two official languages: Kiribati (Gilbertese) and English.
Kiribati, or Te taetae ni Kiribati, is spoken by almost the entire population and belongs to the Micronesian language family. It has a distinct pronunciation, where the letter “t” is pronounced as “s” before the vowels “i” and “e.” For example, “Tiabo” (goodbye) is pronounced “Siabo.”
English is the second official language, primarily used in government, education, and tourism, but fluency varies among locals. In the more remote islands, English is rarely spoken, so knowing a few basic Kiribati phrases can be helpful:
Mauri (Hello)
Ko rabwa (Thank you)
Iaora (How are you?)
Te Mauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabomoa (Health, Peace, and Prosperity – a common blessing)
The oral tradition of storytelling is a significant part of Kiribati culture, passing down history, myths, and lessons from generation to generation.