Tolaki

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
lbw
Alternate Names
Laki, Lolaki, Tokia, Tololaki, To’olaki
Population

331,000 (2000 census). 298,000 Tolaki (Konawe), 33,000 Mekongga and 200 Wiwirano. Asera and Laiwui not separately listed, but less than 1000.

Location

South East Sulawesi Province, North Konawe, Konawe, South Konawe, Kolaka, and North Kolaka regencies; Mekongga district, west coast. Broad area from Point Kolono, southeast peninsula, extending northwest across plains up to highlands; along west coast, past Klaka town towards Bone bay narrows.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Celebic, Eastern, Southeastern, Bungku-Tolaki, Western, West Coast
Dialects

Asera (Asera Wanua, Noie), Konawe (Kendari, Kioki, Tambuoki), Laiwui, Mekongga (Bingkokak, Kolaka, Konio, Norio, Tamboki), Wiwirano (Nohina). Lexical similarity: 88% with Asera, 84% with Konawe, 85% with Mekongga, 81% with Laiwui, 78% with Waru, 70% with Rahambuu and Kodeoha, 54% with the Mori and Bungku groups. Mekongga has 86% with Konawe, 80% with Laiwui.

Language Use

Vigorous in many villages. Some parents speak Indonesian [ind] to their children, and some children are not proficient in Tolaki.

Language Development
Taught in primary and secondary schools. Radio programs. Dictionary. Bible portions: 2000.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tolaki
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Language names based on negative forms are no longer in use. Muslim, Christian.