Discussion
Dakka is located in a mixed language area including Mandar, Bugis and other immigrants, and on this account the language was reported even in the 1980s to be in a vulnerable position (Friberg and Laskowske 1989:6). Extrapolating to the present, we (conservatively) rate Dakka a 3/Definitely Endangered. Because our information is dated, we urge that the Dakka area be revisited to determine current language use patterns and to assess the current strength/vitality of Dakka language.
What Others Have Written
Strømme and Valkama (1987:85)
Apart from a few exceptions the local language is used exclusively in the home. Some Indonesian was reported to be used in the home in the villages of Pao‑pao, Ambopadang, and Dakka, in the latter case only when children were involved. At several locations some Indonesian was reported to be used by school children when playing.
Friberg and Laskowske (1989:6)
Of sociolinguistic interest is the observation that Dakka children may not be using Dakka, though they have an understanding of it. In the younger generation Dakka is being replaced by Indonesian. This … may be explained both by the small size of the language and the mixed language situation of the larger area. Further research is called for here.
Wurm (2007:483)
No literacy in it. In 1986, 1,500 speakers were reported. The language is under pressure from larger neighboring languages such as Rampi [sic], and from Indonesian. It is potentially endangered.
References
Friberg, Timothy; and Thomas V. Laskowske. 1989. South Sulawesi languages, 1989. Studies in Sulawesi linguistics, part 1 (NUSA: Linguistic Studies of Indonesian and Other Languages in Indonesia, 31), edited by James N. Sneddon, 1–17. Jakarta: Badan Penyelenggara Seri Nusa, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya. [Reproduced online. URL: http://sealang.net/archives/nusa/pdf/nusa-v31-p1-18.pdf (accessed January 13, 2014).]
Strømme, Kåre J.; and Kari Valkama. 1987. Kabupaten Polewali Mamasa, southwestern section, and Kabupaten Majene. UNHAS-SIL South Sulawesi sociolinguistic surveys, 1983–1987 (Workpapers in Indonesian Languages and Cultures, 5), edited by Timothy Friberg, 59–98. Ujung Pandang: Summer Institute of Linguistics.
Wurm, Stephen A. 2007. Australasia and the Pacific. Encyclopedia of the world’s endangered languages, edited by Christopher Moseley, 425–577. New York: Routledge.
