Nias (Li Niha)

Nias is a Malayo-Polynesian language spoken by about 867,000 people spoken in the North Sumatra province in Indonesia, particularly on the Batu, Nias and Mursala islands. It is a member of the Northwest Sumatra-Barrier Islands subgroup of Malayo-Polynesian languages.

Nias is also known as Batu, Niha or Li Nias. Dialects include North Nias, South Nias, West Nias, Northwest Nias and Central Nias. The North dialect is considered prestigious and is used as a lingua franca on the island of Nias.

Nias it written with the Latin alphabet, and is used in education, work, religion and other contexts. There is some literature in the language, including a translation of the Bible.

Nias alphabet and pronunciation

Download an alphabet chart for Nias (Excel)

Sample videos in Nias

Information about Nias | Tower of Babel

Links

Information about the Nias language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nias_language
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niha
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/nia

Malayo-Polynesian languages

Alorese, Ambai, Ambel, Anuki, Balinese, Bambam, Banjarese, Batuley, Bengkulu, Biak, Bima, Bugis, Bushi, Chamorro, Duri, Fijian, Fordata, Gayo, Iban, Indonesian, Javanese, Kei, Kerinci, Komering, Lamaholot, Lampung, Ledo Kaili, Madurese, Makasarese, Malagasy, Malay, Mamasa, Mandar, Mandar, Mbula, Mentawai, Minangkabau, Mualang, Musi, Ngaju, Nias, Ogan, Palauan, Sasak, Selaru, Sumbawa, Sundanese, Toqabaqita, Toraja-Sa'dan, Ulumandaʼ, Urak Lawoi’, Wamesa, Yamdena

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 20.08.23

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