Sumba–Flores languages

The Sumba–Flores languages, approximately synonymous with Bima–Sumba, are a proposed group of Austronesian languages (geographically Central–Eastern Malayo-Polynesian languages) spoken on and around the islands of Sumbawa (eastern), Sumba, and Flores in the Lesser Sundas. The main languages are Bima and Manggarai, which have half a million speakers apiece on the eastern half of Sumbawa Island and the western third of Flores, respectively, and Kambera, with a quarter million speakers on the eastern half of Sumba Island.

The Hawu language of Savu Island is suspected of having a non-Austronesian substratum, but perhaps not to any greater extent than the languages of central and eastern Flores, such as Sika, or indeed of Central Malayo-Polynesian languages in general.

Classification

• Bima
• Sumba languages (see)
• Ende–Manggarai (western–central Flores)
  • Manggarai–Komodo, Riung
  • Central Flores
    • Ende–Lio (a dialect cluster of Ende, Palu'e, Li'o, Nage, Ke'o)
    • Ngad'a–So'a (dialect cluster)
    • other: Rembong, Rajong, Rongga, ?Kepo', Wae Rana
• Flores–Lembata (eastern Flores and isles immediately east)
  • Sika
  • Kedang–Lamaholot: Kedang, Lamaholot (dialect cluster)
  • other: Adonara, Alorese, Ile Ape, Lembata, Lamatuka–Lewo Eleng, Lamalera, Levuka, Lewotobi

Blust (2009)^[1] finds moderate support for linking Bimanese, Sumba, and many or all of the languages of western and central Flores. That is, for Sumba–Flores excluding Flores–Lembata. A 2008 analysis of the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database,^[2] on the other hand, found full support for Sumba–Flores as a whole and for each of the four branches listed here, and moderate support (82% confidence) for the unity of Bima and Sumba against the rest.

Of the three Flores–Lembata languages included in the 2008 study, Sika was the more divergent, against Kedang–Lamaholot. The other languages were not addressed. Likewise, Manggarai was found to diverge from Ngadha and Li'o, with the other languages unadressed.

References