Alternate Names: “Bajaw” (pej.), Central Sinama, Orang Laut, Sama Dilaut, Samal, Siasi Sama, Sinama
Dialects: Sama Deya, Sama Dilaut, Sama Laminusa, Sama Siasi, Sama Tabawan. Intelligibility of Bangingih Sama , 79%. Lexical similarity: 47% with Inabaknon ,, 62% with Yakan ,, 76% with Pangutaran Sama ,, 77% with Balangingi ,, 72–78% with Southern Sama ,, 59% with West Coast Bajau ,, 66% with Mapun ,, 48–51% with Indonesian Bajau ,, 25% with Cebuano ,, 45% with Tausug , (Pallesen 1985).
Genealogy:
Demographics: 90,000 in Philippines (2000). Population total all countries: 105,000. 30,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 105,000.
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Cebuano [ceb], Chavacano [cbk], Malay [zlm], Tagalog [tgl], Tausug [tsg]. Used as L2 by Southern Sama [ssb].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 15%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%. Taught in primary schools, as a language of instruction, but only in Davao and Zamboanga in a few classes run by non-governmental organizations. New media. Films. Videos. NT: 1987–2008.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Philippines
Other Comments: Muslim, Christian, traditional religion.