As

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
asz
User Population

6 (Arnold 2020). Also 2 semi-speakers (Arnold 2020). Ethnic population: 45 (Arnold 2020).

Location

West Papua province: Sorong regency, Asbaken and Sorong.

Language Maps
Language Status

8b (Nearly extinct).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, South Halmahera-West New Guinea, West New Guinea, Cenderawasih Bay, Raja Ampat
Dialects

Lexical similarity: 60% with some dialects on Misool Island.

Language Use

Elderly only. Shifted to Papuan Malay [pmy] (Arnold 2020). A few also use Moi [mxn], only older adults (Arnold 2020).

Language Development

The generation below the remaining speakers are very keen to produce legacy materials of their language, in particular a dictionary, before it becomes completely extinct (Arnold 2020).

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about As
Writing

Unwritten [Qaax].

Other Comments

Reportedly originates from Gag Island, west of Waigeo Island. Muslim.