| Batak | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution: |
Sumatra, Indonesia |
| Linguistic classification: | Austronesian |
| Subdivisions: |
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| ISO 639-2 and 639-5: | btk |
The regencies of North Sumatra, coloured to show the basic language locations. Alas speakers are in Aceh, neighbouring the Karo lands. The lands to the east were historically Malay kingdoms.
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The Batak languages are spoken by Batak and Alas people of North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Historically they were written using Batak script but the Latin alphabet is now used for most writing.
There are considered two main Batak language groups, Northern Batak and Southern Batak. Simalungun has been considered an intermediary, but more recent studied suggest that it is a part of the Southern Batak group.[1] Within Northern Batak, a study noted 76% cognate words between Karo and Alas, 81% with Pakpak, and 80% with Simalungun, and 30% with Malay (Indonesian).[2] Karo and Toba Batak are mutually unintelligible.
Mandailing and Angkola are considered a sub-branch of the Tobaic Batak languages and hence closer related to each other than to Toba itself. The geographical influences on the Batak languages can be seen in the map to the right; note that Lake Toba separates the Karo from direct contact with the Toba.
The Palawan Batak language is Austronesian but not otherwise related.