Balantak

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
blz
Alternate Names
Balanta, Kosian
Population

30,000 (2000 SIL), increasing. 3,000 are monolingual.

Location

Central Sulawesi Province, Banggai regency, Luwuk, Balantak, Tinangkung, and Lamala subdistricts, at least 49 villages. Eastern peninsular tip, Cape Botok.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Celebic, Eastern, Saluan-Banggai, Eastern
Dialects

Related to Andio [bzb] and Saluan [loe]. Lexical similarity: 66% with Andio [bzb], 51% with Saluan [loe], 39% with Bobongko [bgb].

Language Use

Vigorous. Speakers of other area languages use Balantak as L2. All domains. Positive attitudes. Also use Indonesian [ind].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 10%. 3,000 can read, 300 can write. Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2010.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Balantak
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Muslim, Christian, traditional religion.