The Status of Nias Language

Abstract

Nias language is one of the local languages used in Indonesia. This Nias language speakers are on the island of Nias in North Sumatra Province. Nias language is part of the proto-Austronesian languages. The use of Nias language is spoken in the area of North Nias, West Nias, and South Nias. The use of this language in the three districts of Nias certainly has a kinship relationship either of similar or different. Definitely the derivation of this Austronesian language, Nias language, is reflected lexically in Nias language which is bequeathed either linearly or innovatively. The lexicostatistics and glotochronology methods were utilized to investigate the kinship relationship of three languages spoken in North Nias, West Nias and South Nias based on Swadesh 200 words. The data collection of the three languages in North, West and South of Nias is obtained from the informant interviews, observation and native informant speech recorded. Key words: Nias language , Proto Austronesia, le xico statisti c , k inship.