Lóvaia: An east timorese language on the verge of extinction

Abstract

Lóvaia is a highly endangered Austronesian language spoken in newly independent East Timor. For generations it has been the most threatened indigenous language in East Timor, with evidence of long-term shift to Fataluku, a non-Austronesian language that dominates the local area in which the Lóvaia reside. We estimate that today there are only five fluent speakers. Information about the language is still very limited, but Lóvaia has also been erroneously classified as non-Austronesian. We provide information on the current sociolinguistic situation and social practices among the Lóvaia and discuss possible factors that may have impacted on language death in this case. © 2003, by Walter de Gru..