Wemale

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
weo
Alternate Names
Honitetu, Oemale, Tala
Population

6,000 (2000 census). No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 7,500.

Location

Maluku Province, at least 14 villages. Seram island north coast, from Taniwel to Walakone towns; southwest Seram, northeast of Kairatu town.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Central Maluku, East, Seram, Nunusaku, Three Rivers, Wemale
Dialects

East Wemale, South Wemale, West Wemale, West-Central Wemale. Lexical similarity: 84% with east and west dialects, 70% with South Wemale dialect.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, neighborhood, traditional ceremonies. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 0%. Literacy rate in L2: 90% Indonesian [ind].
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, Muslim.