LANGUAGES OF ACEH, INDONESIA
Population in Sumatra is 36,455,000 (1995) throughout 7 provinces. The number of languages listed for Indonesia (Sumatra) is 52. All are living languages. Diversity index 0.86. Information mainly from P. Voerhoeve 1955; D. Walker 1976. Data accuracy estimate: B, C.

Source: SIL International

 

Spoken Living Languages

ACEH

Language code: [ATJ]
Speaker population: 3,000,000 1.6% of the population (1999 WA).
Region: Northern, Aceh Province, northern and southern coasts around the tip of Sumatra.
Alternate names: ATJEH, ATJEHNESE, ACHINESE, ACHEHNESE.
Dialects: BANDA ACEH, BARUH, BUENG, DAJA, PASE, PIDIE (PEDIR, TIMU), TUNONG.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Malayic, Achinese-Chamic, Achinese.
Remark: Bilingualism in Indonesian. Dictionary. Grammar. SVO. Coastal. Muslim, Christian.

BATAK ALAS-KLUET

Language code: [BTZ]
Speaker population: 80,000 (1989).
Region: Northern, northeast of Tapaktuan and around Kutacane.
Alternate names: ALAS-KLUET BATAK.
Dialects: ALAS.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Sumatra, Batak, Northern.
Remark: Reported to not be Batak. Investigation needed: intelligibility with Dairi, Karo. Muslim.

GAYO

Language code: [GAYO]
Speaker population: 180,000 (1989).
Region: Mountain region of north Sumatra around Takengon, Genteng, and Lokon.
Alternate names: GAJO.
Dialects: DOROT, BOBASAN, SERBODJADI, TAMPUR.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Gayo.
Remark: Not closely related to other languages. Muslim, traditional religion.

SIKULE

Language code: [SKH]
Speaker population: 20,000. Central Simeulue Island.
Alternate names: SICHULE, WALI BANUAH, SIKHULE.
Dialects: LEKON, TAPAH.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Sumatra, Northern.
Remark: Closely related to Nias. Investigation needed: intelligibility with Nias.

SIMEULUE

Language code: [SMR]
Speaker population: 100,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori).
Region: West and east ends of Simeulue Island, Babi and Banjak islands.
Alternate names: SIMALUR, SIMULUL, SIMEULOË, LONG BANO.
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Sumatra, Northern.
Remark: Related to Sikule and Nias. Muslim..