| Salawati | |
|---|---|
| Maden | |
| Native to | Indonesia |
| Region | Bird's Head Peninsula |
Native speakers | 600 (2001)[1] |
Austronesian
| |
| Dialects |
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | xmx |
| Glottolog | made1253 |
| Coordinates:1°07′S130°52′E / 1.12°S 130.87°E /-1.12; 130.87[2] | |
Salawati is anAustronesian language spoken onSalawati Island, in theRaja Ampat Islands in Indonesian New Guinea. There is some uncertainty as to whether the dialects comprise a single language or two separate ones (divided geographically between the west and east sides of the island).[2]: 29
Salawati is a vulnerable-to-endangered language (6b-7 on theEGIDS scale), with younger community members having only a passive command of the language. Anecdotal reports suggest that younger speakers may be learning the language in some Tepin-dialect villages, but these reports are unconfirmed.[2]: 27–28
Like its relatedlanguages of the Raja Ampat Islands, Salawati has approximately 15 consonants and 5-6 vowels and lexical tone. It is mainly head-initial in noun phrases, and primarily uses prepositions over postpositions.[2]: 28, 30
The dialects of Salawati are as follows:[3]: 17
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