| Kao | |
|---|---|
| Native to | Indonesia |
| Region | North Maluku |
| Ethnicity | Kao [id] |
Native speakers | 1,250 (2014)[1] |
West Papuan?
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | kax Kao |
| Glottolog | kaoo1238 |
| ELP | |
Kao is anendangerednon-Austronesian language. This language is spoken inNorth Halmahera Regency,North Maluku.
The last survey in 2008 conducted by the Research Team from theFaculty of Letters and CultureKhairun University states that Kao language is only used by family over 40 years of age. Intraditional, social, and daily events, or religiousceremonies, the Kao language is no longer used.[2]
The Kao language is spoken by theKao people [id]. The openness to cultural influences brought by immigrants to their region gave rise to acculturation and inculturation in accordance with values considered good by society. This also has an impact on the decreasing level of use of the Kao language.
Currently, the Kao language is being displaced byTernate Malay, a localMalay-based creole. However, a preservation effort is still carried out byperforming arts. For example, theGala Kao which is carried out by playing Kao-languagerhymes. Even though it is rarely used in general in everyday life, the Kao people still acknowledge that this language is theirnative language.
The current distribution of the Kao language is in the interior of North Halmahera, the mouth of the Kao River, and the Kao capital area (Kao district).[3]
Judging from the speakers, it is believed that the older thespeakers of a language, the morefluent they are.[2]
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