7,387,000 including 3,370,000 in West Lesser Sundas, 3,269,000 in East Lesser Sundas, 748,000 in East Timor (1993). Information mainly from Wurm and Hattori 1981, C. and B. Grimes 1995. Data accuracy estimate: B, C. Information mainly from East of Bali: from Lombok to Timor (1991), a Periplus Editions Indonesia Travel Guide; C. and B. Grimes 1995. The number of languages listed for Indonesia, Nusa Tenggara is 64. Of those, 63 are living languages and 1 is extinct.
ABUI (BARUE, "BARAWAHING", NAMATALAKI) [ABZ] 16,000 (?) in the ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Central and western Alor in the Lesser Sundas. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Alor. Dialects: ATIMELANG, KOBOLA, ALAKAMAN. "Barawahing" is reported to be a derogatory name. The Alakaman dialect may be a dialect of Kamang (Woisika). Survey needed.
ADABE (ATAURA, ATAURU, ATAURO, RAKLU-UN, RAKLU UN) [ADB] 1,000 (?) in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Atauro Island, north of Dili on Timor Island. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Kolana. Dialect: MUNASELI PANDAI. Reported to be different from Galoli dialects on Atauro, and not to be related to Timor languages. Survey needed.
ANAKALANGU (ANAKALANG) [AKG] 14,000 in the ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Sumba Island, southwest coast, east of Wanukaka. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Closely related to, but unintelligible with, Weyewa, Mamboru, Wanukaka, and Lamboya. Survey needed.
ATONI (TIMOR, TIMORESE, TIMOL, TIMOREESCH, TIMOREEZEN, DAWAN, TIMOR DAWAN, DAWABESEM, AMBENU, VAIKENU, VAIKINO, BAIKENU, BIKENU, BIQUENO, UAB ATONI PAH METO, UAB PAH METO, ORANG GUNUNG, RAWAN) [TMR] 650,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori); 14,000 in Vaikino (1989). Western Timor Island. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, West. Dialects: AMARASI, AMFOAN-FATULEU-AMABI (AMFOAN, AMFUANG, FATULEU, AMABI), AMANUBAN-AMANATUN (AMANUBAN, AMANUBANG, AMANATUN), MOLLO-MIOMAFO (MOLLO, MIOMAFO), BIBOKI-INSANA (BIBOKI, INSANAO), AMBENU (VAIKENU, VAIKINO), KUSA-MANLEA (KUSA, MANLEA). Much dialect variation, requiring speakers several weeks to adjust, for effective communication to take place. Differences in nearly every valley. 'Uab Pah Meto' is speakers' name for their own language. Christian (Atoni), traditional religion (Vaikino). NT 1948-1984. Bible portions 1941-1966.
BIMA (BIMANESE) [BHP] 500,000 (1989). Sunda Islands, eastern Sumbawa Island. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialects: KOLO, SANGAR (SANGGAR), TOLOWERI, BIMA. Related to Sabu and shows some affinity with Manggarai. Muslim, Christian. Work in progress.
BLAGAR (BELAGAR, TARANG) [BEU] 11,000 (?) in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Northeast Pantar, Lesser Sundas. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Pantar. Dialects: RETTA 1, APURI, LIMARAHING, RETTA 2, TEREWENG, BAKALANG. One of the Retta varieties is thought to be a separate language by an Alorese--possibly a separate language on Pura. Survey needed.
BUNAK (BUNA', BUNAKE, BUNAQ) [BUA] 50,000 in ethnic group (1977 Voegelin and Voegelin). Central interior Timor Island. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Bunak. Some small groups are scattered among other languages. One of the main languages of Timor. Not closely related to other languages. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
ENDE (ENDEH) [END] 87,000, including 78,000 Ende, 9,000 Nga'o (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Central Flores, west of Sikka, Lesser Sundas. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba, Ende-Lio. Dialects: ENDE (ENDEH, JA'O, DJAU), NGA'O (NGAO, WEST ENDE). Dialect chain. Palu'e is on the border between a separate language or dialect of Ende. Christian. Survey needed.
FATALUKU (DAGAGA, DAGODA') [DDG] 30,000 in ethnic group (1989). Northeast end of Timor Island around Los Palos. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Fataluku. One of the main languages of Timor. Not closely related to other languages. Traditional religion, Christian. Survey needed.
GALOLI (GALOLE) [GAL] 50,000 (?) in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). East Timor Province, north coast between Mambai and Makasai, regions of Laklo, Manatutu, Laleia, and We-Masin, Wetar Island. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, East. Dialects: NA NAHEK, EDI, DADUA, GALOLI, BABA, HAHAK. One of the main languages of Timor. Talur on Wetar in Maluku may be inherently intelligible. Survey needed.
HABU [HBU] 1,000 (?) in the ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). East Timor Island, northeast of Laclubar and the Idate language. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, Waima'a. Many loanwords from Trans-New Guinea languages similar to Makasai, but with Austronesian structure. Related to Waima'a and Kairui. Survey needed.
HELONG (HELON, SEMAU) [HEG] 9,000 (1996 H. Steinhauer). Southwestern tip of Timor Island near the port of Tenau (4 villages) and the majority of villages on the nearby coast of Semau Island. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Helong. 2 groups which have minor dialect differences: Helong Darat on the Timor mainland, and Helong Pulau on Semau Island. Helong is used for daily domestic and rural routine and traditional ceremonies. Kelong Pulau speakers are reported to be beginning to shift to Kupang Malay under the influence of people from Rote and Savu. Speakers are in contact with Rotinese, Atoni, Kupang Malay, and Standard Indonesian. Helong Darat is accessible by asphalt road from Kupang. Typology: Unlike many surrounding languages, does not inflect V-initial verb roots for person or number; has long and short vowels; glottal stop. Survey needed.
IDATE (IDATÉ) [IDT] 5,000 (?) in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Central Timor, mountains of part of the Laclubar area, surrounded by the Mambai, Galoli, Kairui, and Tetun. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, East. Closest to Lakalei and Galoli. Survey needed.
KABOLA [KLZ] 10,000 (?) in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Northwestern Alor Island in the Lesser Sundas. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Alor. Dialects: HAMAP, PINTUMBANG, ADANG AIMOLI (AIMOLI), TANG'ALA, MEIBUIL. The names and locations of the dialect in Wurm and Hattori are disputed by native speakers. Survey needed.
KAFOA (JAFOO, RUILAK, AIKOLI, FANATING, PAILELANG) [KPU] 1,000 (?) in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Alor Island, north of Aluben, between Abui and Kelong languages. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Alor. Th name 'Jafoo is suggested by some Alorese. The name 'Kafoa" is not known locally. Survey needed.
KAIRUI-MIDIKI (CAIRUI) [KRD] 2,000 (?) in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Timor Island, small mountainous area surrounded by Makasai, Waima'a, Tetun, Galoli. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, Waima'a. Dialects: KAIRUI, MIDIKI (MIDIK). Vocabulary is predominantly Trans-New Guinea, structure is Austronesian. Related to Waima'a and Habu. Mountain slope. Survey needed.
KEDANG (DANG, KDANG, KÉDANG, KEDANGESE) [KSX] 25,000 (1970 census). Northeast Lomblen, Lesser Sundas. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Flores-Lembata. Survey needed.
KELON (KELONG) [KYO] 10,000 (?) in the ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Southwestern tip of Alor Island in the Lesser Sundas. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Alor. Dialects: BURAGA, PROBUR, HALERMAN, GENDOK, PANGGAR. Survey needed.
KEMAK (EMA) [KEM] 50,000 in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). North central Timor Island. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, East. Dialects: NOGO, KEMAK. Closely related to Tetun. Most closely related to Mambai and Tukudede. Also related to Atoni. Typology: OSV. Traditional religion, Christian. Survey needed.
KEO [XXK] 83,000 including Nage (1981 Wurm and Hattori). South central Flores, east of Ngad'a. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba, Ende-Lio. Survey needed.
KEPO' (KEPOQ) [KUK] Central Flores, between Manggarai and Rembong, with a separate enclave between Manggarai and Wae Rana. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. May be intelligible with one of the surrounding languages. Survey needed.
KODI (KUDI) [KOD] 40,000 (1987 UBS). West Sumba, Lesser Sundas. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialects: KODI BOKOL, KODI BANGEDO, MBUKAMBERO. May be closest to Weyewa. Traditional religion, Christian. Work in progress.
KOLANA (KOLANA-WERSIN) [KVW] 50,000 in ethnic group (1989). Alor Island, east and southeast coasts around Kolana and Silopa, 2 enclaves on north central and northeast coasts. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Kolana. Dialects: KOLANA, MANETA. Closely related to Kamang (Woisika). Cultural and historical relationship with Liquisa in East Timor. Coastal. Christian, traditional religion. Survey needed.
KOMODO [KVH] Komodo Island and west coast of Flores. Not on Timor. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Considered a separate language from Manggarai by Verheijen. Survey needed.
KUI (LERABAIN) [KVD] 5,000 (?) in the ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Alor Island, south coast around Batuiolong and 2 enclaves to the west. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Alor. Dialects: KUI, KIRAMANG (KRAMANG). Survey needed.
LAKALEI [LKA] 5,000 (?) in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Central Timor, north of Same, northeast of Ainaro. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, East. Closely related to Idate, Tetun, and Galoli. Many loanwords from Tetun, Mambai, and Idate. Survey needed.
LAMAHOLOT (SOLOR, SOLORESE) [SLP] 310,000, including 60,000 Alorese (1989). Lesser Sundas, Solor Island off eastern tip of Flores Island, Lomblen, northern coast of Pantar and Alor islands. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Flores-Lembata. Dialects: WEST LAMAHOLOT (MUHANG, PUKAUNU), SOUTH LAMAHOLOT (TAKA, LEWOTOBI, LEWOLAGA, ILE MANDIRI, TANJUNG BUNDA, ADONARA, SOLOR), EAST LAMAHOLOT (ALOR, ALORESE, COASTAL ALORESE), LAMALERA. Wide variation among dialects. The area around Larantuka is multi-ethnic and the people have shifted to Malay. Grammar. Traditional religion, Muslim, Christian. Survey needed.
LAMBOYA [LMY] 15,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Sumba Island, southwest coast, southwest of Waikabubak. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialects: LAMBOYA, NGGAURA. Closely related to, but unintelligible with, Weyewa, Mamboru, Wanukaka, and Anakalangu. Survey needed.
LAMMA (LEMMA) [LEV] 10,000 (?) in ethnic group. Southwestern Pantar, Lesser Sundas. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Pantar. Dialects: KALONDAMA, TUBAL, BIANGWALA. Survey needed.
LI'O (LIO, AKU, TANAH KUNU, LIONESE) [LJL] 130,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Central Flores, west of Sikka around Paga and Dondo, Lesser Sundas. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba, Ende-Lio. Dialect chain with Ende, difficult intelligibility at ends. Palu'e is borderline between language and dialect with Li'o. Christian. Survey needed.
MAKASAI (MAKASSAI, MACASSAI) [MKZ] 70,000 in ethnic group (1989). Timor Island, eastern end, west of Fataluku, from northern to southern coast in a dialect chain. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Makasai. Dialects: MAKLERE, MAKASAI. One of the main languages of Timor. Not closely related to other languages. Traditional religion, Christian. Survey needed.
MAKU'A (LOVAEA, LOVAIA) [LVA] 50 in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Northeast tip of Timor Island, around Tutuala. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Maku'a. Almost completely assimilated with Fataluku. Spoken only by some elderly people. Nearly extinct.
MAMBAI (MAMBAE, MANBAE) [MGM] 80,000 in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Mountains of central Timor, around Ermera, Aileu, and Ainaro. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, East. Dialects: DAMATA, LOLEI, MANUA, MAMBAI. Second most widely spoken language of Timor. Mountain slope. Traditional religion, Christian. Survey needed.
MAMBORU (MEMBORO) [MVD] 16,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Northwest Sumba Island, coast around Memboro. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Closely related to, but unintelligible with, Weyewa, Wanukaka, Lamboya, and Anakalangu. Survey needed.
MANGGARAI [MQY] 500,000 (1989). Western third of Flores Island, Lesser Sundas. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialects: WESTERN MANGGARAI, CENTRAL MANGGARAI (RUTENG), WEST-CENTRAL MANGGARAI, FAR-EASTERN MANGGARAI, EASTERN MANGGARAI. Around 43 subdialects. Closely related to Riung. Christian, Muslim.
NAGE [NXE] (83,000 with Keo; 1981 Wurm and Hattori). Central Flores, northeast of Ngad'a. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba, Ende-Lio. Survey needed.
NAUETI (NUHETE) [NXA] 1,000 (?) in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). East Timor Island, west of Tiomar. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor. Dialects: NAUMIK, OSO MOKO. Not closely related to any other language. Many loanwords from Trans-New Guinea languages like Makasai. Survey needed.
NDAO (NDAONESE, NDAUNDAU) [NFA] 3,500 in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Island of Ndao off the west coast of Roti, and on Sumba, Roti, and Timor. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Closely related to Sabu, but a distinct language. Survey needed.
NEDEBANG (BALUNGADA) [NEC] 1,000 (?) in the ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). North central Pantar, south and southwest of Kabir. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Pantar. Survey needed.
NGAD'A (NGADHA, NGADA, NAD'A, NGA'DA, BAJAVA, BADJAVA, BAJAWA, ROKKA) [NXG] 60,000 (1995). South central Flores, between Manggarai and Ende and Li'o. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialects: CENTRAL NGADA, BAJAVA, SOUTH NGADA. Dialect diversity. Grammar. Christian. Survey needed.
NGAD'A, EASTERN (SOUTHEAST NGADA) [NEA] 5,000 (1994). South central Flores, between Ngad'a and Nage in Kecamatan Golewa in the administrative villages of Sara Sedu, Taka Tunga, Sanga Deto, and in Kecamatan Boawae in desa Rowa, all in Kabupaten Ngada. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Minor dialect variation. Christian. Survey needed.
PALU'E (PALUE) [PLE] 3,000 (1981). Palu Island, north of central Flores. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialect chain with Ende-Lio; marginal intelligibility with Li'o. Survey needed.
PIDGIN, TIMOR (TIMOR CREOLE PORTUGUESE) [TVY] Timor Island, around Bidau, Dili and Lifan. Creole, Portuguese based. Dialects: PORTUGUÊS DE BIDAU, MACAÍSTA. The Jakarta variety of creole Portuguese survived in Tugu until recent times (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Varieties of creole Portuguese were also spoken in Larantuka, Flores; Adonara (Vure), Solor; as well as Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Maluku (see also Ternateño in Maluku). Extinct.
RAJONG [RJG] Central Flores, between Manggarai, Wae Rana, Ngada, and Rembong. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Survey needed.
REMBONG [REB] North central Flores, between Eastern Manggarai and Far- Eastern Manggarai. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialects: REMBONG, WANGKA, NAMU. Survey needed.
RIUNG [RIU] 14,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). North central Flores Island, Kecamatan Riung in Kaupaten Ngada, Lesser Sundas. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Closely related to Manggarai; but marginal intelligibility. Survey needed.
RONGGA [ROR] South central Flores, between Manggarai and Ngada, and south of Wae Rana. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Survey needed.
ROTE (ROTI, ROTTI, ROTINESE) [ROT] 123,000 to 133,000 in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Rote Island southwest of Timor and on adjacent Timor Island around Kupang and Semau Island. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, West. Dialects: OENALE-DELHA (OENALE, UNALE, DELHA, DELA), LANDU-RINGGOU-OEPAO (LANDU, RINGGOU, RENGGOU, OEPAO), BILBA-DIU-LELENUK (BILBA, DIU, LELENUK), KORBAFFO (KOLBAFFO), BOKAI, TERMANU-TALAE-KEKA (TERMANU, PADA, TALAE, KEKA), BA'Ä-LOLEH (BAÄ, BA'A, LOLEH, LOLE), DENGKA-LELAIN (DENGKA, LELAIN), THIE (TI). Significant linguistic blockages to intelligibility among 'dialects', and attitudes which hinder acceptance of other 'dialects', but social factors favor considering them one. Speakers from different dialects often communicate by using Malay. Access by ferry from Kupang, or by air. Christian. Bible portions 1895. Work in progress.
SABU (HAWU, HAVUNESE, SAVU, SAWU, SAWUNESE, SAVUNESE) [HVN] 100,000 (1990 UBS), including 15,000 to 25,000 outside of Sawu (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Islands of Sawu and Raijua south of Flores and west of Timor, and in Sumba (especially in Melolo), in Ende on Flores, and the Kupang area of Timor. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialects: SEBA (HEBA), TIMU (DIMU), LIAE, MESARA (MEHARA), RAIJUA (RAIDJUA). Grammar. Closely related to Ndao and the languages of Sumba. Typology: Complex phonetics with implosives, glottal, long and short vowels, diphthongs, long and short consonants. Christian, traditional religion. Bible portions 1976. Work in progress.
SASAK (LOMBOK) [SAS] 2,100,000; 1.2% of the population (1989). Lombok Island. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Bali-Sasak. Dialects: KUTO-KUTE (NORTH SASAK), NGETO-NGETE (NORTHEAST SASAK), MENO-MENE (CENTRAL SASAK), NGENO-NGENE (CENTRAL EAST SASAK, CENTRAL WEST SASAK), MRIAK-MRIKU (CENTRAL SOUTH SASAK). Complex dialect situation. Related to Sumbawa and Balinese. Subgroups: Waktu Lima, Waktu Telu. Most Waktu Telu own farms, most Waktu Lima are landless, travel more, and have diverse occupations. Many Balinese also on Lombok Island. Waktu Telu: agriculturalists. Muslim, Christian, traditional religion (Waktu Telu). NT in press (1996). Bible portions 1948.
SIKKA (SARA SIKKA, SIKA, SIKKANESE) [SKI] 175,000 (1990 E.D. Lewis). Central and eastern Flores Island, Lesser Sundas. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Flores-Lembata. Dialects: SARA KROW (CENTRAL SIKKA), SIKKA NATAR (SOUTH COAST SIKKA), TANA AI. Wide variation within language and culture. Grammar. Christian. Survey needed.
SO'A (SOA) [SSQ] 10,000 (?) (1994). Central Flores, central Kabupaten Ngada, between Ngad'a and Riung. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Reported to be closely related to Ngad'a. Christian. Survey needed.
SUMBA (SUMBANESE, EAST SUMBANESE, OOST-BUMBAAS, HUMBA, HILU HUMBA, KAMBERA) [SMI] 200,000 in the ethnic group (1989). Eastern half of Sumba Island, south of Flores, Lesser Sundas. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialects: KAMBERA, MELOLO, UMA RATU NGGAI (UMBU RATU NGGAI), LEWA, KANATANG, MANGILI-WAIJELO (WAI JILU, WAIDJELU), SOUTHERN SUMBA. Dictionary. Grammar. Distinct from Sumbawa in the Bali-Sasak group. Christian, traditional religion. Bible 1995. NT 1961. Bible portions 1949-1993.
SUMBAWA (SEMAWA, SUMBAWARESE) [SMW] 300,000 (1989). Western end of Sumbawa Island. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Bali-Sasak. Distinct from Sumba. Survey needed.
TANGLAPUI (LANTOKA) [TPG] 12,000 (?) in the ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Eastern quarter of Alor Island. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Tanglapui. Not closely related to other languages. Survey needed.
TETUN (TETUM, TETTUM, TETO, TETU, TETUNG, BELU, BELO, FEHAN) [TTM] 300,000 or more in the ethnic group, and many thousands of second language users (1981 Wurm and Hattori); 600,000 (1991 UBS). Central Timor corridor from the north to the south coasts, east of Atoni, west of Bunak (in Batagude) around Batibo and in from the south coast around Viqueque. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, East. Dialects: EASTERN TETUN (SOIBADA, NATARBORA, LAKLUTA), SOUTHERN TETUN (LIA FEHAN, PLAIN TETUN, TASI MANE, BELU SELATAN), NORTHERN TETUN (LIA FOHO, HILL TETUN, TASI FETO, BELU UTARA). A lingua franca throughout east Timor except in the Lautem area, and in border areas of west Timor. Wide variation in morphology and syntax among major dialects, and variation in social structure. Trade language. Christian, traditional religion. Work in progress.
TETUN DILI (TETUN PRASA, TETUM PRAÇA, DILI TETUN) [TDT] 50,000 (?) in the ethnic group (1995). First language speakers concentrated around Dili on the north coast of East Timor Province. Second language speakers scattered widely throughout East Timor. Creole, Tetun based. Growing in its role as a language of wider communication, functioning as a symbol of inter-ethnic solidarity in the region, predominantly in urban areas. Speakers of North and South Tetun have significant difficulty understanding it in many speech domains, and vice versa. Some first language speakers of Tetun Dili consider themselves to be bilingual in Tetun because of contact, but when pressed, admit there are domains in which communication is completely blocked. Cultural rituals and themes in Tetun are not as deeply rooted in Tetun Dili. Language of wider communication. Typology: Compared to Tetun: many more Portuguese loan words; does not inflect V-initial verb roots for person or number; uses more periphrastic constructions than morphological constructions (e.g. causatives); differences in possessive constructions and negatives. Christian. Work in progress.
TEWA [TWE] 5,000 (?) in the ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Central Pantar. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Pantar. Dialects: DEING, MADAR, LEBANG. Survey needed.
TUKUDEDE (TUKUDE, TOKODEDE, TOKODÉ, TOCOD) [TKD] 50,000 in the ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Timor Island, north coast, regions of Maubara and Liquisa from the banks of the Lois River to Dili. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, East. Dialect: KEHA (KEIA). One of main languages of Timor. Christian. Survey needed.
WAE RANA (WAERANA) [WRX] South central Flores, between Manggarai and Ngad'a. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Survey needed.
WAIMA'A (UAI MA'A, WAIMAHA, WAIMOA) [WMH] 3,000 (?) in ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Timor Island, southwest of Makasai. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Timor, Nuclear Timor, Waima'a. Many Trans-New Guinea loanwords similar to Makasai. Related to Habu and Kairui. Survey needed.
WANUKAKA (WANOKAKA) [WNK] 10,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Sumba Island, southwest coast, east of Lamboya. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialects: WANUKAKA, RUA. Closely related to, but unintelligible with, Weyewa, Mamboru, Lamboya, and Anakalangu. Survey needed.
WEYEWA (WEWEWA, WAJEWA, WEWJEWA, WAIDJEWA, WEST SUMBANESE) [WEW] 75,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Lesser Sundas, west Sumba Island. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Central Malayo-Polynesian, Bima-Sumba. Dialects: WEYEWA, LAULI (LOLI), LAURA, TANA RIGHU. Traditional religion. NT 1970. Bible portions 1949-1954.
WOISIKA (KAMANG) [WOI] 12,000 in the ethnic group (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Alor Island, east central, between Abui and Tanglapui. Trans-New Guinea, South Bird's Head-Timor-Alor-Pantar, Timor-Alor-Pantar, Makasai-Alor-Pantar, Alor. Dialects: LEMBUR (LIMBUR, KAWEL), KAMOT, KAMANA (KAMANG), PETIMPUI, KAMENGMI, ATEITA, PIDO, LANGKURU-KOLOMANO, SILAIPUI, APUI. It is reported that 'Kamang' is preferred by speakers as the language name. 'Kamot' is not known as a dialect name. Survey needed.
Part of the Ethnologue, 13th Edition, Barbara F. Grimes, Editor.
Copyright © 1996, Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc. All rights reserved.
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