Alternate Names: Luchu, Okinawan
Dialects: Kudaka, Naha, Shuri, Torishima. Inherent intelligibility generally impossible, or very difficult, with Ryukyuan languages and Japanese ,. Ryukyu languages are 62%–70% cognate with Tokyo dialect of Japanese ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 984,000 (2000). Ethnic population: 1,200,000 (2000 Yukio Uemura).
Language Use: Mainly adults. Also use Japanese [jpn].
Language Development: Dictionary. Bible portions: 1855–1858.
Writing System: Katakana
Nation of Origin: Japan