Helong

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
heg
Alternate Names
Helon, Kupang, Semau
Population

14,000 (Grimes et al. 1997). Ethnic population: 15,000 to 20,000.

Location

East Nusa Tenggara Province. Semau island off of Timor island, western tip of Timor, and Kupang city. Interspersed with Amarasi [aaz] and other languages.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Timor-Babar, Nuclear Timor
Dialects

Funai (Land Helong), Helong Darat (Bolok), Helong Pulau (Island Helong, Semau).

Typology

Unlike many surrounding languages, does not inflect V-initial verb roots for person or number; has long and short vowels; glottal stop, metathesis

Language Use

Helong Darat shifting to Kupang Malay [mkn]. Funai dialect endangered through intermarriage and urban contact. Home, community, traditional ceremonies.

Language Development
Dictionary. NT: 2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Helong
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.