Discussion
Even in the late 1980s it appeared that the Tomadino were shifting to Bungku, as there was no domain—not even in the home—which was exclusively reserved for Tomadino (Mead 1999:63). Extrapolating to the present, we suggest that a rating of 2/Severely Endangered would be appropriate, which is a downward revision from its current rating of 3/Definitely Endangered in UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger (Moseley 2010). However, because this information is dated, we also urge that the situation in Tomadino to be revisited.
What Others Have Written
Mead (1999:63)
Tomadino respondents report considerable bilingualism with Bungku. There is no domain which is strictly reserved for Tomadino, therefore it is difficult to imagine that this will remain a stable bilingual situation.
Wurm (2007:543)
No literacy in it. In 1991, 600 speakers were reported. People tend to use the large Bungku language as mother tongue and are shifting to it. The language is endangered.
References
Mead, David E. 1999. The Bungku-Tolaki languages of south-eastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. (Pacific Linguistics, D-91.) Canberra: Australian National University.
Wurm, Stephen A. 2007. Australasia and the Pacific. Encyclopedia of the world’s endangered languages, edited by Christopher Moseley, 425–577. New York: Routledge.
