Discussion
We have no independent information on the vitality of the Koroni language. The present rating is taken from UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger (Moseley 2010). However, their 3/Definitely Endangered rating appears to be based primarily on reported number of speakers rather than on a fresh period of field research. The current situation of the Koroni language requires further investigation.
What Others Have Written
Mead (1999:45)
The Koroni people have maintained their own language since leaving Buton, and seem likely to do so for the foreseeable future. They indicated a preference for using Indonesian with those outside of their community, even though not a few Koroni speakers also understand and speak Bungku.
Wurm (2007:505)
No literacy in it. In 1991, about 500 speakers were reported. Probably fewer now. There is pressure from Indonesian. The language is potentially endangered.
References
Mead, David E. 1999. The Bungku-Tolaki languages of south-eastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. (Pacific Linguistics, D-91.) Canberra: Australian National University.
Moseley, Christopher (ed.) 2010. Atlas of the world’s languages in danger, 3rd ed., entirely revised, enlarged and updated. (Memory of Peoples Series.) Paris: UNESCO Publishing.
Wurm, Stephen A. 2007. Australasia and the Pacific. Encyclopedia of the world’s endangered languages, edited by Christopher Moseley, 425–577. New York: Routledge.
