Helong | Ethnologue

A language of Indonesia

ISO 639: heg
Alternate Names: Helon, Kupang, Semau
Autonym: Helong
Population: 14,000 (Grimes et al 1997). Ethnic population: 18,000 (2015 S. Cameron).
Location:: East Nusa Tenggara province: Semau island; Timor island west tip, and Kupang city.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Timor-Babar, Nuclear Timor
Dialects: Helong Pulau (Island Helong, Semau), Helong Darat (Bolok, Land Helong), Funai.
Typology: Unlike many surrounding languages, does not inflect V-initial verb roots for person or number; has long and short vowels; glottal stop, metathesis.
Language Use: Helong Darat shifting to Kupang Malay [mkn] (Florey 2005). Funai dialect endangered through intermarriage and urban contact. Home, community, traditional ceremonies. Some of all ages. Also use Bilba [bpz]. Also use Indonesian [ind]. Also use Kupang Malay [mkn]. Also use Uab Meto [aoz].
Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 2011.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Helong
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian.

Location: East Nusa Tenggara province: Semau island; Timor island west tip, and Kupang city.