The Rapa Nui people of Easter Island traditionally speak the Rapa Nui language. Rapa Nui is an Eastern Polynesian language, and the same name is used for the island, its Indigenous people, and their language.
Easter Island lies in the southeastern Pacific Ocean and is part of Chile. Rapa Nui is closely related to other Polynesian languages, including Mangarevan, Māori, and Tahitian, but it has its own history and vocabulary. Spanish is also widely used on the island because of Chilean administration and education.
The language was affected by population loss, colonial contact, and the increasing dominance of Spanish. Community and cultural efforts have supported its continued teaching and use, especially in connection with traditional identity and heritage.
Rapa Nui should not be confused with Māori, the Indigenous language of New Zealand, although both belong to the Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family.