Page Type: languageTukang Besi North | Ethnologue

KHC ISO 639-3

Tukang Besi North

A language of Indonesia

ISO 639
khc
Alternate Names
Buton, Wakatobi
Population
120,000 in Indonesia (1995 SIL). 60,000 in Maluku.
Location:
Southeast Sulawesi province: Ambon, Bacan, Buru, Kaledupa, Maluku, Mongole, Runduma, Seram, Sulabesi, Taliabu, and Wangiwangi islands; Baubau and Sumbawa cities.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Celebic, Eastern, Southeastern, Muna-Buton, Tukangbesi-Bonerate
Dialects
Kaledupa (Kahedupa), Wanci (Wangi- Wangi, Wanje, Wanji, Wantji). Lexical similarity: 80% with Kaledupa and Wanci, and may be separate languages. 70%–75% with Tukang Besi South [bhq], 48% with Lasalimu [llm], 47% with Cia-Cia [cia], 40% with Kamaru [kgx], an average of 35% with other nearby languages.
Language Use
Vigorous. Home, Community; Mixed use: Religion, Education. Used by all. All also use Indonesian [ind]. Some also use Indonesian Bajau [bdl]. A few also use Cia-Cia [cia]. A few also use Kamaru [kgx]. A few also use Lasalimu [llm]. Used as L2 by Indonesian Bajau [bdl], Kumbewaha [xks].
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tukang Besi North
Writing
Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments
Most in Nusa Tenggara and Maluku are mixed with Tukang Besi South. Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Southeast Sulawesi province: Ambon, Bacan, Buru, Kaledupa, Maluku, Mongole, Runduma, Seram, Sulabesi, Taliabu, and Wangiwangi islands; Baubau and Sumbawa cities.