Alternate Names: Arowak, Lokono
Genealogy:
Demographics: 700 in Suriname (1980 census). Population total all countries: 2,450. Very few monolinguals. Ethnic population: 2,050 (1980 census).
Language Use: Lokono villages show a progressive loss of language (Crevels 2007). Home, friends; mixed use: Religion. Older adults only. Young people no longer interested in learning the language (Crevels 2007). Mixed attitudes. Also use Dutch [nld], Sranan [srn].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1850–1978.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Suriname