When learning some of the Austronesian languages, I cannot help but to notice the different patterns of speech that are used when talking to friends and family compared to the speech that is used when talking to people of greater seniority or higher social hierarchy. My observation first started with Bahasa Melayu, taking notice to … Continue reading Introduction to formal & informal speech in some Austronesian languages
Month: June 2025
A look into Indonesia’s unusual Austronesian language
Pulau Enggano is a small outlying island just off the southwestern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Around 110 km just off the southwestern coasts of the island of Sumatra, lies an outlying island called Pulau Enggano. Home to around 4000 to 5000 people, around under a half of the island's residents belong to the Enggano or … Continue reading A look into Indonesia’s unusual Austronesian language
Languages with case prefixes? (Vanuatu Pt 2)
Moving further into Vanuatu for the search of languages with case prefixes, we find ourselves on the island of Efate in the Shefa Province of Vanuatu. It is the island where the capital and largest city, Port Vila, is located, and it is the southern villages of the island like Erakor and Eton where we … Continue reading Languages with case prefixes? (Vanuatu Pt 2)
Introduction to the tonal Austronesian languages
When we compare the sounds of the various Austronesian languages from Taiwan to Rapa Nui, there are several distinct patterns we can draw. Usually, we would find anywhere from 15-20 consonants, and perhaps 4-6 vowels which may or may not be distinguished by length. Some languages take this to the extreme, with Polynesian languages like … Continue reading Introduction to the tonal Austronesian languages
The Language Closet 