Gayo

A language of Indonesia

ISO 639: gay
Alternate Names: Gajo, Gayonese
Population: 300,000 (2000 census). Ethnic population: 337,000 (2015).
Location:: Aceh province: Central Aceh, East Aceh, Gayo Lues, and Southeast Aceh regencies; Sumatra highland region near Mount Sembuang.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Northwest Sumatra-Barrier Islands
Dialects: Deret, Serbejadi-Lukup, Lut, Lues. Not closely related to other languages. Some Gayo people consider Alas [btz] a distant Gayo dialect.
Language Use: Home, neighborhood, clinic, market, ceremonies, village meetings. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Some also use Indonesian [ind].
Language Development: Taught in primary schools 2 hours a week called local instruction. Literature. Newspapers. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Gayo
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Muslim, traditional religion.

Location: Aceh province: Central Aceh, East Aceh, Gayo Lues, and Southeast Aceh regencies; Sumatra highland region near Mount Sembuang.