Wolio
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A language of Indonesia
65,000 in Indonesia (2004 D. Andersen). Population does not include those in other provinces.
Southeast Sulawesi province: Buton regency, Bau-Bau city on Buton island southwest coast.
6b (Threatened).
29 consonants and 5 vowels.
Former court language of Baubau Sultanate, and surrounding communities; formerly used by nobility in the region. Wolio is declining in the urban center, but being maintained at the rural periphery. Some young people, all adults. Children in villages use Wolio, but city children primarily use Indonesian. Most also use Indonesian [ind]. Some also use Muna [mnb]. Some also use Pancana [pnp]. Used as L2 by Busoa [bup], Cia-Cia [cia], Kamaru [kgx], Kioko [ues], Liabuku [lix], Muna [mnb], Pancana [pnp], Taloki [tlk].
Dictionary. Texts.
‘Buton’ usually used generically inside Southeast Sulawesi to refer to Wolio; outside Southeast Sulawesi it refers to people from Southeast Sulawesi, or is sometimes confused with Bajau people as sailors. Muslim.