Helong

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
heg
Alternate Names
Helon, Kupang, Semau
Autonym
Helong
User 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 Maps
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.