Ivatan

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A language of Philippines

ISO 639-3
ivv
Population

35,000 (1998 SIL), increasing. 3,450 Itbayatan (1996 census).

Location

North of Luzon, Batanes Islands. Many relocated to Mindanao near Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, and Cotabato; Manila, Luzon, and Palawan.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Philippine, Bashiic, Ivatan
Dialects

Basco Ivatan, Itbayaten, Southern Ivatan.

Typology

VSO

Language Use

Vigorous. Only very young and very old are monolingual. Not used in schools. Home, administration, religion, commerce, labor relations, letters. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng] or Filipino [fil] (92%).

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 92%. Literary tradition of laji (old songs) and folklore. Letters, hymnbooks. Poetry. New media. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1984.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ivatan
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian.