Also Known As:
Tombatu, Toundanow, Lo'bahikolai
Dialects & Varieties
Tonsawang (Toundanow), North Sulawesi, Indonesia - Language Contexts
Tonsawang (Toundanow), North Sulawesi, Indonesia - Language Contexts
Severely Endangered
100 percent certain, based on the evidence available
optimistic estimate of 8,000-10,000
Native Speakers Worldwide
Speaker Number Trends
Speaker Number Trend 3
Only about half of community members speak the language. Speaker numbers are decreasing steadily, but not at an accelerated pace.
3
Domains of Use
Domain Of Use 5
Used only in a few very specific domains, such as in ceremonies, songs, prayer, proverbs, or certain limited domestic activities.
5
Transmission
Transmission 3
Some adults in the community are speakers, but the language is not spoken by children.
3
Speakers
Native or fluent speakers:
No results found.
Second-language speakers and learners
No results found.
Semi-speakers or rememberers
No results found.
Children:
No results found.
Young adults
No results found.
Older adults
No results found.
Elders
No results found.
Ethnic or community population
No results found.
Year information was gathered
No results found.
Location and Context
Countries
Mountainous, northern tip of Sulawesi island, Indonesia including the settlements of Ranoketang Tua, Lobu, Silian, Ranoketang Atas, Kali, Kali Oki, Tombatu, Molompar, Kalait, Suhuyon, Tambelang, Ranoako, buang, Banga, Lowatag, Pisa, Tonsawang
Location Description
No results found.
Government Support
No results found.
Institutional Support
No results found.
Speakers' Attitude
Indigenous language and culture is often viewed as archaic and not markers of Minahasan ethnic identity, rather less important than education, economic advancement, personality traits, pro-Western outlook, and Christian faith. There is little enthusiasm for advocating increased language use, as well as societal norms which require defering to preference of elders and higher status people, and the concept that indigenous languages can only be learned in purely formalised contexts. There is a vacuum in revitalisation leadership and willingness to defer to outsiders.
Other Languages Used By The Community
Manado Malay (Pidgin Derived Malay), Bahasa Indonesia
Number of Other Language Speakers:
None
Domains of Other Languages:
None
Writing Systems
Standard orthography:
No results found.
Writing system:
No results found.
Other writing systems used:
No results text.
Comments on writing systems:
No results found.
Recent Resources
The Tonsawang (a.k.a Tombatu or Toundanow) language is traditionally spoken in the town of Tombatu a
The videos uploaded to this channel are the result of collaboration between Dr Timothy Brickell (
Join Mr Bodi Sambow as he shows us the traditional way to produce dried coconut flesh, or copra, in
The one public outlet for Tonsawang is lomba pidato (speech contest). Some documentary materials have been shared on social media via mobile phones. There is also a small Bible translation project between Gereja Baptis Manado (Manado Baptist Church) and Seaforth Baptist Church in New South Wales, Australia and a Tonsawang-Indonesian dictionary of Kalangi.