Between the 14th and 15th editions this language code was retired from use.
Reason: The speech varieties denoted by the code were split into two or more distinct languages.
Remedy:
Change each instance of MEX to one of:
- Interim SIL code: BHR > Malagasy, Bara [bhr]
- Interim SIL code: BJQ > Malagasy, Southern Betsimisaraka [bjq]
- Interim SIL code: BMM > Malagasy, Northern Betsimisaraka [bmm]
- Interim SIL code: PLT > Malagasy, Plateau [plt]
The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
| Population |
9,390,000 in Madagascar, including 3,200,000 Merina, 1,800,000 Betsimisaraka, 1,400,000 Betsileo, 635,000 Antandroy, 473,000 Tanala, 422,000 Antaimoro (1993 Johnstone). Population total all countries 9,398,700. |
| Region |
The central part of the Island. Also spoken in Comoros Islands, Réunion. |
| Alternate names |
MALGACHE, STANDARD MALAGASY |
| Dialects |
MERINA, TAISAKA (ANTAISAKA, TESAKA), TANOSY (ANTANOSY), TAIMANAMBONDRO (ANTAIMANAMBONDRO), SAHAFATRA, TAIFASY (TEFASY, ANTAIFASY), TAMBAHOAKA (ANTAMBAHOAKA), ZAFISORO, BETSIMISARAKA, SIHANAKA, BEZANOZANO (ANTAIVA, ANTANKA, TANKAY), TANALA (ANTANALA, MENABE-IKONGO), BARA, BETSILEO, VEZO, MAHAFALY, TAÑALAÑA, ANTANDROY 1 (TANDROY), ANTANDROY 2, TANKARANA, TAIMORO (ANTAIMORO, TEMORO). |
| Classification |
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Barito, East, Malagasy. |
| Comments |
The closest language outside of Madagascar is Ma'anyan in south Borneo (Kalimantan, Indonesia). Loans from Bantu languages, Swahili, Arabic, English, French. National language. Dictionary. Grammar. VOS. The Merina dialect was the first to be written in Latin characters and it has become the literary dialect. Subsistence agriculturalists: coffee, cloves, vanilla, rice; perfume. Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim. Bible 1835-1938. |
