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.

References