Tausug

A language of Philippines

Jolohano, Moro Joloano, Sinug, Sinug Tausug, Sulu, Suluk, Tausog, Taw Sug

Bahasa Sūg, بَهَسَ سُوگ‎ (Bahasa Sūg)

784,000 in Philippines (2005 UNSD), increasing. 250,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,230,000 (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 946,000.

Location

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Sulu province, Jolo, in Sulu archipelago; Basilan province, Basilan island; MIMAROPA region: Palawan province on Palawan island; Zamboanga Peninsula region: Zamboanga city and environs.

Language Maps

Malaysia: Sabah

Southern Philippines

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto language of provincial identity in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces.

Classification

Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Central Philippine, Bisayan, South, Butuan-Tausug

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Kalagan [kqe]. Used as L2 by Balangingih Sama [sse], Central Sama [sml], Chavacano [cbk], Mapun [sjm], Pangutaran Sama [slm], Southern Sama [ssb], Yakan [yka].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%. Taught in primary schools through grade 3. Literature. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1985–2002. Agency: Anak-Sug Association.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Tausug

Writing

Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab]. Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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Indonesia

Language NameTausug

User Population

12,000 in Indonesia (Wurm and Hattori 1981).

Location

North Kalimantan province: scattered coastal settlements; immigrants from Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines.

Alternate Names

Bahasa Sūg, Joloano Sulu, Jolohano, Moro Joloano, Sinug Tausug, Sooloo, Sulu, Suluk, Taosug, Tausog, Taw Sug

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Muslim.

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Malaysia

Language NameSuluk

User Population

150,000 in Malaysia (2000 SIL), increasing. No monolinguals (2015 N. Dino).

Location

Sabah state: Beluran, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Semporna, and Tawau districts’ coasts; Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, and Papar coasts.

Alternate Names

Bahasa Sūg, Joloano, Joloano Sulu, Jolohano, Pamung Sug, Sinug, Sooloo, Sug, Sulu, Taosug, Tausog, Tausug, Taw Sug, “Moro” (pej.)

Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Home. Mixed use: Friends, Religion, Work, Education. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. All also use Sabah Malay [msi]. Many also use Standard Malay [zsm]. Some also use English [eng]. Some also use Southern Sama [ssb]. A few also use Ida’an [dbj]. Used as L2 by Brunei [kxd], Ida’an [dbj], Mapun [sjm], Southern Sama [ssb].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 95%. Literacy rate in L2: 95% in Sabah Malay [msi], 30% in English [eng]. Agency: Pusaka.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. While some have lived in North Borneo for hundreds of years, many are recent immigrants from the southern Philippines seeking work and fleeing conflict. Muslim.

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Tausug

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A language of Philippines

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