The Wersing language, also known as Kolana after its primary dialect, is spoken in scattered settlements around the coast of Alor in Indonesia. Due to this settlement pattern, Wersing speakers are in contact with Abui and Kamang speakers and often have some competence in these languages.[2] Though not closely related, it has cultural connections with Tukudede on the neighboring island of Timor.[3]
| Wersing | |
|---|---|
| Kolana | |
| Native to | Indonesia |
| Region | Alor |
Native speakers | 3,700 (2014)[1] |
Trans–New Guinea ?
| |
| Dialects |
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | kvw |
| Glottolog | wers1238 |
| ELP | Wersing |
 Languages of the Alor Islands. Wersing is shown at four locations around the east coast. | |
Phonology
edit| Bilabial | Alveolar | Palatal | Velar | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal | m | n | ɲ ⟨ny⟩ | ||
| Plosive | voiceless | p | t | k | |
| voiced | b | d | ɡ | ||
| Fricative | s | ||||
| Semivowel | w | j ⟨y⟩ | |||
| Lateral | l | ||||
| Trill | r | ||||
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close | i | u | |
| Mid | ɛ ⟨e⟩ | ɔ ⟨o⟩ | |
| Open | a |
References
edit- ^ "The Alor-Pantar languages".
- ^ Schapper, Antoinette; Hendery, Rachel (2014). "Wersing". In Schapper, Antoinette (ed.). The Papuan Languages of Timor, Alor and Pantar: Volume 1. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 439–503.
- ^ Wellfelt, Emilie; Schapper, Antoinette (2013). Enriching the archival picture: The use of local sources in assessing the nature and impact of historical contact. Papers presented as part of the Panel on East Timor, the Portuguese, and the Indonesian Archipelago - Historical Sources and Methodological Reconsiderations at the International Convention of Asia Scholars 8, Macau, 24-27 June.
External links
edit- Wersing at The Language Archive
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