Yamdena

Print

A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
jmd
Alternate Names
Jamden, Jamdena, Tanemprar lirin
Population

25,000 (1991 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 35,000–40,000 (1991 SIL).

Location

Southeast Maluku Province, 35 villages. Tannembar islands; east coast Yamdena island, down to north tip of Selaru island. Latdalam village, southwest Yamdena.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Southeast Maluku, Kei-Tanimbar, Yamdena
Dialects

North Yamdena (Nus Das), South Yamdena (Nus Bab). A chain of related varieties from north to south with 90% lexical similarity between extremes, but with morphological and phonological differences. Southern dialect thought more prestigious. Lexical similarity: 90% among the north and south dialects, 47% with Fordata [frd].

Language Use

Vigorous except for some northern villages. Strong users mostly over 30 years old. All domains, very limited use in religion. Most also use Ambonese Malay [abs] or Indonesian [ind].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 2%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 80%. Taught in primary schools, as a subject. Taught in secondary schools, as a subject. Poetry. Dictionary. Bible portions.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian.