Moronene

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
mqn
Alternate Names
Maronene
Autonym
Moronene
User Population

26,300 (2010 census), decreasing. 1,850 monolinguals.

Location

Southeast Sulawesi province: Bombana regency, Bombana district, Wita Ea village; Rumbia mountains on southeast mainland; Kabaena island, Tokotu’a village; mainland opposite Kabaena. Rumbia, Poleang, and Poleang Timur sub-districts (Wita Ea dialect).

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Celebic, Eastern, Southeastern, Bungku-Tolaki, Eastern, Southwest
Dialects

Wita Ea (Poleang, Rumbia), Tokotu’a (Kabaena). Lexical similarity: Wita Ea dialect 80% with Tokotu’a dialect; 68% with Menui dialect of Wawonii [wow], 66% with Kulisusu [vkl], 65% with Taloki [tlk], Koroni [xkq], Tulambatu dialect of Bungku [bkz], 64% with Bungku [bkz], and 57% with Tolaki [lbw].

Language Use

Vigorous in many villages. Occasional oral use in church, letter writing. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Most also use Indonesian [ind], in some villages, especially some parents to their children. Also use Bugis [bug], in Poleang.

Language Development

Taught as subject in primary and secondary schools. Literature. Radio. NT: 2013.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Moronene
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Formerly a kingdom. Muslim.