Minangkabau

A language of Indonesia

Minang, Padang

4,880,000 (2010 census). Ethnic population: 6,480,000 (2010 census).

Bengkulu province: west coast Mukomuko area. Sumatra island, Indian Ocean coast, Padang is central area; South Sumatra province; West Sumatra province.

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Chamic, Malayic, Malay

Dialects

Agam, Pajokumbuh, Tanah, Si Junjung, Batu Sangkar-Pariangan, Singkarak, Pancuang Soal (Muko-Muko), Orang Mamak, Ulu, Kerinci-Minangkabau, Aneuk Jamee (Jamee), Penghulu. Not intelligible with Indonesian [ind]. Pekal [pel] may be intelligible with Minangkabau. A member of macrolanguage Malay [msa].

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Vigorous. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Indonesian [ind].

Language Development

Taught as subject in primary schools in grades 1 and 2. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. Grammar. NT: 1996.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Minangkabau

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Muslim.