What are the main branches of the Austronesian language family?

The Austronesian language family is one of the largest language families in the world, comprising approximately 1,200 languages spoken by around 400 million people. It is primarily found in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region, including countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Madagascar, and various Pacific island nations.

The main branches of the Austronesian language family can be classified into two major groups: the Malayo-Polynesian branch and the Formosan branch.

1. Malayo-Polynesian Branch:
The Malayo-Polynesian branch is the largest and most widespread branch of the Austronesian language family. It can be further divided into several sub-branches, including:

a) Western Malayo-Polynesian: This sub-branch includes languages spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. It encompasses languages such as Indonesian, Malay, Javanese, Tagalog, and Iban.

b) Central Malayo-Polynesian: This sub-branch includes languages spoken in the central part of Indonesia, particularly in the Lesser Sunda Islands and Sulawesi. Some notable languages in this sub-branch are Balinese, Sasak, and Buginese.

c) Eastern Malayo-Polynesian: This sub-branch includes languages spoken in eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific islands. It encompasses languages such as Fijian, Samoan, Tongan, and Tahitian.

d) Oceanic: This sub-branch includes languages spoken in the Pacific islands, including Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. It comprises languages such as Hawaiian, Maori, Marshallese, and Gilbertese.

2. Formosan Branch:
The Formosan branch is a smaller branch of the Austronesian language family, primarily spoken in Taiwan. It consists of approximately 26 languages, including Amis, Atayal, and Paiwan.

It is important to note that the classification and categorization of languages within the Austronesian language family are subject to ongoing research and debate. New discoveries and linguistic analyses may lead to revisions in the classification and understanding of the branches and sub-branches within this language family.