Lamaholot

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A language of Indonesia

Alternate Names
Solor, Solorese
User Population

180,000 in Indonesia (2010). Total users in all countries: 225,000.

Location

East Nusa Tenggara province: Flores Timur regency; also Solor island; possibly north Pantar coast, northwest Alor, and surrounding islands.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Dialects

West Lamaholot (Muhang, Pukaunu), Lamaholot (Ile Mandiri, Larantuka, Lewolaga, Ritaebang, Taka, Tanjung Bunda), West Solor.

Typology

SOV; 16 consonants and 6 vowels (3 oral, 3 nasal); serial verb constructions; inclusive/exclusive pronouns; alienable/inalienable possession (Solor dialect).

Language Use

The area around Larantuka is multiethnic and some people have shifted to Kupang Malay [mkn] (Florey 2005). Used as language of wider communication. Used as L2 by Adonara [adr], Alor [aol], Ile Ape [ila], Lamalera [lmr], Lamatuka [lmq], Levuka [lvu], Lewo Eleng [lwe], Lewotobi [lwt], South Lembata [lmf], West Lembata [lmj].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar.

Writing

Unwritten [Qaax].

Other Comments

‘Lamaholot-Alor’ is used to refer to both a lingua franca and also to any of several Austronesian varieties spoken from eastern Flores to Alor. Alor [aol] is part of a chain which includes Lamaholot. Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.

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