Tukang Besi North

KHC

vigorous

Alternate Names: Buton, Wakatobi

Dialects: Kaledupa (Kahedupa), Wanci (Wangi- Wangi, Wanje, Wanji, Wantji). Lexical similarity: 80% with Kaledupa and Wanci, and may be separate languages. 70%–75% with Tukang Besi South ,, 48% with Lasalimu ,, 47% with Cia-Cia ,, 40% with Kamaru ,, an average of 35% with other nearby languages.

Genealogy:

Austronesian
Malayo-Polynesian
Celebic
Eastern
Southeastern
Muna-Buton
Tukangbesi-Bonerate

Demographics: 120,000 in Indonesia (1995 SIL). 60,000 in Maluku.

Language Use: Vigorous. All ages, even in communities away from the main islands. Used as L2 by Kumbewaha [xks].

Language Development: Grammar.

Nation of Origin: Indonesia

Other Comments: Most in Nusa Tenggara and Maluku are mixed with Tukang Besi South. Muslim.