Helong | |
---|---|
Native to | Indonesia |
Region | West Timor |
Native speakers | (14,000 cited 1997)[1] |
Austronesian
| |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | heg |
Glottolog | helo1243 |
ELP | Helong |
Helong (alternate names Helon, Kupang and Semau[1]) is a Central Malayo-Polynesian language of West Timor. Speakers are interspersed with those of Amarasi. This language has become endangered as a result of its native speakers marrying those who do not speak Helong, and as a result of coming in contact with the outside community.[1] Helong speakers are found in four villages on the South-Western coast of West Timor, as well as on Semau Island, a small island just off the coast of West Timor.[2] The mostly Christian, slightly patriarchal society of Semau do their best to send their children away to Bali (or elsewhere) to earn money to send home.