Formosan languages


The Formosan languages are the languages of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan, all of which are Austronesian. The Taiwanese indigenous peoples recognized by the government are about 2.3% of the island's population. However, only 35% speak their ancestral language, due to centuries of language shift. Of the approximately 26 languages of the Taiwanese indigenous peoples, at least ten are extinct, another four are moribund, and all others are to some degree endangered.
The aboriginal languages of Taiwan have great significance in historical linguistics since, in all likelihood, Taiwan is the place of origin of the entire Austronesian language family. According to linguist Robert Blust, the Formosan languages form nine of the ten principal branches of the family, while the one remaining principal branch contains nearly 1,200 Malayo-Polynesian languages found outside Taiwan. Although some other linguists disagree with some details of Blust's analysis, a broad consensus has coalesced around the conclusion that the Austronesian languages originated in Taiwan, and the theory has been strengthened by recent studies in human population genetics.

Recent history

All Formosan languages are slowly being replaced by the culturally dominant Taiwanese Mandarin. In recent decades the Taiwanese government started an aboriginal reappreciation program that included the reintroduction of Formosan first language in Taiwanese schools. However, the results of this initiative have been disappointing.
In 2005, in order to help with the preservation of the languages of the indigenous people of Taiwan, the council established a Romanized writing system for all of Taiwan's aboriginal languages. The council has also helped with classes and language certification programs for members of the indigenous community and the non-Formosan Taiwanese to help the conservation movement.

Classification

Formosan languages form nine distinct branches of the Austronesian language family.

List of languages

It is often difficult to decide where to draw the boundary between a language and a dialect, causing some minor disagreement among scholars regarding the inventory of Formosan languages. There is even more uncertainty regarding possible extinct or assimilated Formosan peoples. Frequently cited examples of Formosan languages are given below, but the list should not be considered exhaustive.

Living languages

LanguageCodeNo. of
dialects		DialectsExtinction date & notes
Basaybyq1Mid-20th century
Ketagalankae1
Babuzabzg3?Babuza, Takoas, Favorlang.Late 19th century. Ongoing revival efforts.
Papora-Hoanyappu2?Papora, Hoanya.
Taivoantvx1Late 19th century. Ongoing revival efforts.
Pazehuun12010.
Sirayafos2?Siraya, Makatao.Late 19th century. Ongoing revival efforts.
Makatao2?Siraya, Makatao.Late 19th century. Ongoing revival efforts.

Basic word order

Most Formosan languages display verb-initial word order or VOS ) with the exception of some Northern Formosan languages, such as Thao, Saisiyat, and Pazih, possibly from influence from Chinese.
Li lists the word orders of several Formosan languages.
Tanan Rukai is the Formosan language with the largest number of phonemes with 23 consonants and 4 vowels containing length contrast, while Kanakanabu and Saaroa have the least number of phonemes with 13 consonants and 4 vowels.

Wolff

The tables below list the Proto-Austronesian reflexes of individual languages given by Wolff.
Proto-AustronesianPazihSaisiatThaoAtayalic
*ppppp
*tt, st, s, ʃt, θt, c
*cz htx, h
*kkkkk
*qØʔqq, ʔ
*bbbfb-
*ddrsr
*jdrsr
*gk-, -z- , -tk-, -z- , -z k-, -ð-, -ðk-
*ɣxl ɬɣ, r, Ø
*mmmmm
*nnnnn
*ŋŋŋnŋ
*ssʃʃs
*hhhØh
*lrl rl
*ɬlɬðl
*wwwww
*yyyyy

Proto-AustronesianSaaroaKanakanavuRukaiBununAmisKavalanPuyumaPaiwan
*ppppppppp
*tt, ct, ct, ctttt, ʈtj , ts
*cs, Øcθ, s, Øc csst
*kkkkkkk, qkk
*qØʔØq ɦØɦq
*bvv bbfbv v
*dscḍdrzd, zdj , z
*jscddrzd, zdj , z
*gk-, -ɬ-k-, -l-, -lgk-, -Ø-, -Øk-, -n-, -nk-, -n-, -nh-, -d-, -dg-, -d-, -d
*ɣrrr, Øll ɣrØ
*mmmmmmmmm
*nnnnnnnnn
*ŋŋŋŋŋŋŋŋŋ
*sØssssØØs
*hØØØØhØØØ
*lØØ, lñh-, -Ø-, -Øl r, ɣl l
*ɬɬnɬnɬnɬɬ
*wØØvvwwww
*yɬlððyyyy

Proto-AustronesianTagalogChamorroMalayOld Javanese
*ppfpp
*ttttt
*cssss
*kkhkk
*qʔʔhh
*bbpb, -pb, w
*dd-, -l-, -dhd, -tḍ, r
*jd-, -l-, -dchj, -td
*gk-, -l-, -dØd-, -r-, -rg-, -r-, -r
*ɣggrØ
*mmmmm
*nnnnn
*ŋŋŋŋŋ
*shØhh
*hØØØØ
*lllll
*ɬnñ, n, ll-/ñ-, -ñ-/-n-, -nn
*wwwØ, ww
*yyyyy

Blust

The following table lists reflexes of Proto-Austronesian *j in various Formosan languages.
LanguageReflex
TsouØ
Kanakanabul
Saaroaɬ
Puyumad
Paiwand
BununØ
Atayalr, g, s
Sediqy, c
Pazehz , d
Saisiyatz
Thaoz
Amisn
Kavalann
Sirayan

The following table lists reflexes of Proto-Austronesian *ʀ in various Formosan languages.
LanguageReflex
PaiwanØ
Bununl
Kavalanʀ
Basayl
Amisl
Atayalg; r
Sediqr
Pazehx
Taokasl
Thaolh
SaisiyatL
Bashiic y

Lenition patterns include :

Gallery

Information

Li lists the geographical homelands for the following Formosan languages.