Rukai

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A language of Taiwan

ISO 639-3
dru
Alternate Names
Banga, Bantalang, Bantaurang, Drekay, Drukai, Drukay, Dukai, Dyokay, Kadas, Rutkai, Sarisen, Taloma, Tsalisen, Tsarisen
User Population

2,000 (2008 UNESCO). Some monolingual older adults. Ethnic population: 13,500 (2020 CIP).

Location

Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung counties: west of Taitung city, 13 or 14 villages in south central mountains.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Rukai
Dialects

Budai (Adiri, Kalramomodhesae, Kinulan, Kucapungan, Vedrai), Labuan (Laboan, Talamakao), Tanan (Taromak), Maga (Teldrɨka), Tona (Kongadavane), Mantauran (’oponoho). Mantauran, Tona, and Maga dialects are divergent.

Typology

VSO; 23 consonants and 4 vowels containing length contrast (Tanan dialect).

Language Use

All domains. Some young people, all adults. Some also use Japanese [jpn], especially older adults. Some also use Min Nan Chinese [nan]. Also use Puyuma [pyu].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2017.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Rukai
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Some linguists classify it as Paiwanic. Paiwanic influence.