Tolaki

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
lbw
Alternate Names
Laki, Lolaki, To’olaki, Tokia, Tololaki
Autonym
Tolaki
User Population

238,000 (2010 census), decreasing.

Location

Southeast Sulawesi province: Kolaka, North Kolaka, Konawe, North Konawe, and South Konawe regencies, Mekongga district; Point Kolono on southeast peninsula, northwest across plains to highlands; west coast, past Klaka town toward Bone bay narrows.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Celebic, Eastern, Southeastern, Bungku-Tolaki, Western, West Coast
Dialects

Wiwirano (Nohina), Asera (Asera Wanua, Noie), Konawe (Kendari, Kioki, Tambuoki), Mekongga (Bingkokak, Kolaka, Konio, Norio, Tamboki), Laiwui. Lexical similarity: 88% with Asera, 84% with Konawe, 85% with Mekongga, 81% with Laiwui, 78% with Waru, 70% with Rahambuu and Kodeoha, 54% with the Mori and Bungku groups. Mekongga has 86% with Konawe, 80% with Laiwui.

Language Use

Vigorous in many villages. Some children are not proficient in Tolaki. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Most also use Indonesian [ind]. A few also use Bugis [bug]. Used as L2 by Kodeoha [vko], Muna [mnb], Waru [wru], Wawonii [wow].

Language Development

Taught as subject in primary schools. Taught as subject in a few secondary schools. Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Texts. NT: 2013.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tolaki
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Language names based on negative forms are no longer in use. Muslim.