Alternate Names: Sama Tawi-Tawi, Southern Sinama
Dialects: Balimbing, Bongao, Languyan, Obian, Sama Sibutu, Sapa-Sapa, Sibutu’ (Sibutu), Simunul, Sitangkai, Tandubas. Sibutu intelligibility of Sama Central , 77%, of the Simunul dialect 89%. Simunul intelligibility of Sama Central , 77%, of the Sibutu dialect 80%.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 200,000 in Philippines (2007 SIL), increasing. Population total all countries: 215,000. 20,000 monolinguals.
Language Use: Vigorous. Home, neighborhood, local level official functions, religious services, commerce, and labor relations. Positive attitudes. Also use Central Sama [sml], English [eng], Filipino [fil], Malay [zlm], Mapun [sjm], Pangutaran Sama [slm], Tausug [tsg].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 65%–70%. Literacy rate in L2: 40% in Tausug [tsg], 40% in Filipino [fil], 30% in Malay [zlm], 10% in English [eng]. 130,000 can read, 100,000 can write. Literature may not be acceptable to other dialect speakers due to marginal intelligibility and strong regional loyalties. Taught in primary schools, as language of instruction. Radio programs. Bible portions: 1979–2009.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Philippines
Other Comments: Simunul is central, prestige dialect. Bongao dialect from political, economic center of Southern Sama. Muslim.