Batak Toba

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
bbc
Alternate Names
Toba Batak
Autonym
Batta
User Population

1,610,000 (2010 census). Ethnic population: 4,160,000 (2010 census).

Location

North Sumatra province: Asahan, Humbang Hasundutan, Labuhan Batu Utara, Samosir, Simalungan, south Tapanuli Tengah, Tapanuli Utara, and Toba Samosir regencies; Samosir island; east, south, and west of Lake Toba.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Northwest Sumatra-Barrier Islands, Batak, Southern
Dialects

None known. Reportedly similar to Angkola Batak [akb].

Language Use

Mixed use: Home, Community, Work, Religion, Education. Some young people, all adults. All also use Indonesian [ind], which is becoming the L1 of the youth in urban and migrant areas.

Language Development

Taught as subject in some primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1894–1989.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Batak Toba
Writing

Batak script [Batk], no longer in use. Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.