Rukai

A language of Chinaâ€“Taiwan

ISO 639: dru
Alternate Names: Banga, Bantalang, Bantaurang, Drekay, Drukai, Drukay, Dukai, Dyokay, Kadas, Rutkai, Sarisen, Taloma, Tsalisen, Tsarisen
Population: 2,000 (2008 UNESCO). Some monolingual older adults. Ethnic population: 13,500 (2020 CIP).
Location:: Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung counties: west of Taitung city, 13 or 14 villages in south central mountains.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Austronesian, Rukai
Dialects: Budai (Adiri, Kalramomodhesae, Kinulan, Kucapungan, Vedrai), Labuan (Laboan, Talamakao), Tanan (Taromak), Maga (Teldrɨka), Tona (Kongadavane), Mantauran (’oponoho). Mantauran, Tona, and Maga dialects are divergent.
Typology: VSO; 23 consonants and 4 vowels containing length contrast (Tanan dialect).
Language Use: All domains. Some young people, all adults. Some also use Japanese [jpn], especially older adults. Some also use Min Nan Chinese [nan]. Also use Puyuma [pyu].
Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2017.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Rukai
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Some linguists classify it as Paiwanic. Paiwanic influence.

Location: Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung counties: west of Taitung city, 13 or 14 villages in south central mountains.