Makuva language
Extinct Austronesian language of East Timor / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For Makua languages of Mozambique, see Makua languages.
Makuva, also known as Makuʼa or Lóvaia,[3] is an apparently extinct Austronesian language spoken at the northeast tip of East Timor near the town of Tutuala.
Quick Facts Native to, Native speakers ...
Makuva | |
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Makuʼa, Lóvaia | |
Native to | East Timor |
Native speakers | extinct since 1950s[1] to 56 (2010 census)[2] |
Austronesian
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Official status | |
Recognised minority language in | |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | lva |
Glottolog | maku1277 |
ELP | Maku'a |
Distribution of ethnic Makuva in East Timor |
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Makuva has been heavily influenced by neighboring East Timorese Papuan languages, to the extent that it was long thought to be a Papuan language. The ethnic population was 50 in 1981, but the younger generation uses Fataluku as their first or second language. A 2003 report estimated that there were only five fluent speakers of the language.[4]