Here's a breakdown:
* Austronesian Languages: A vast language family that encompasses languages spoken across Southeast Asia, Oceania, Madagascar, and parts of South America.
* Oceanic Languages: A subfamily of Austronesian languages specifically spoken in Oceania, including Polynesia.
Within Polynesia, different islands and groups have their own distinct languages. Some of the most well-known Polynesian languages include:
* Hawaiian
* Tahitian
* Māori (New Zealand)
* Samoan
* Tongan
* Cook Islands Māori
* Rarotongan
* Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
These languages are closely related and share a common ancestor, but they have evolved independently over time, resulting in variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
So, while there isn't one single "Polynesian language," they all belong to the Oceanic branch of the Austronesian language family.