Nias
PrintA language of Indonesia
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Batu, Nias Selatan
Population
770,000 (2000 census).
Location
North Sumatra Province. Nias, Batu islands off west coast. Northwest dialect: Alasa area, west in Sirombu and Mandrehe areas; Central dialect: Gomo area, south in Teluk Dalam and Batu islands.
Language Maps
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Dialects
Central Nias, North Nias (Gunung Sitoli), Northwest Nias, South Nias, West Nias.
Language Use
Vigorous. Positive attitudes. Limited proficiency in Indonesian [ind].
Language Development
Bible: 1911.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script.
North dialect (particularly Gunung Sitoli) has high prestige and is a lingua franca in Nias. The South dialect (particularly Teluk Dalam variety) has lower prestige, especially in northern Nias, and is considered by many Nias speakers from other areas as unrefined. Christian.