Tobian language

Tobian
Ramarih Hatohobei
Native toPalau
RegionHatohobei, Koror, Sonsorol
Native speakers
150 (2017)[1]
Latin script[1]
Official status
Official language in
 Palau
Language codes
ISO 639-3tox
Glottologtobi1238
ELPTobian
Approximate location where Tobian is spoken
Approximate location where Tobian is spoken
Tobian
Coordinates: 3°00′N 131°10′E / 3.00°N 131.17°E / 3.00; 131.17
Pidgin Tobi
Native speakers
None
Tobi-based pidgin
Language codes
ISO 639-3None (mis)
Glottologhora1238
ELPTobian

Tobian (ramarih Hatohobei, literally "the language of Tobi") is the language of Tobi, one of the Southwest Islands of Palau, and the main island of Hatohobei state. Tobian is a Micronesian language spoken by approximately 150 people, about 22 are native speakers. The speakers are located in either the island of Tobi or in Echang, a hamlet of Koror, the former capital of Palau. Tobian and Sonsorolese are very close, and appear to be gradually merging towards a new dialect called "Echangese".[2][3] Earlier in the 20th century, about 1000 people lived on the island. Shortly before and during the First World War, those numbers dropped severely due to an abundance of disease.

  1. ^ a b Simons, Gary F; Fennig, Charles D, eds. (2018). Ethnologue: Languages of the World (21st ed.). Dallas, Texas: SIL International.
  2. ^ White & Kirkpatrick, Geoffrey & John (1985). Person, Self, and Experience: Exploring Pacific Ethnopsychologies. Berkeley & Los Angeles, California: The Regents of the University of California. p. 266. ISBN 0-520-05280-3.
  3. ^ CAPELL, ARTHUR (1951). Grammar & Vocabulary of the Language of Sonsorol - Tobi. Washington: Washington Pacific Science Office, National Research Council.