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The Minangkabau language (autonym: Baso Minang(kabau); Indonesian: Bahasa Minangkabau) is an Austronesian language, spoken by the Minangkabau-people of West Sumatra, in the western part of Riau and in several cities throughout Indonesia by migrated Minangkabau, who often trade or have a restaurant. It is also spoken in a part of Malaysia.
Due to great grammatical similarities between the Minangkabau language and Malay, there is some controversy regarding the relationship between the two. Some see Minangkabau as a dialect of Malay, while others think of Minangkabau as a proper (Malay) language.
Malaysia
Besides West Sumatra and western Riau, Minangkabau is also spoken in Malaysia, in the Negeri Sembilan province. Ancestors of the inhabitants of this region originate from the Minang-land (Ranah Minang) in Sumatra. The language is also a lingua franca along the western coastal region of the province of North Sumatra, and is even used in parts of Aceh, where the language is called Aneuk Jamee.
Dialects
The Minangkabau language has several dialects, sometimes differing between nearby villages (e.g. separated by a river). In everyday communication between Minangkabau people of different regions, the Padang-dialect (Baso Padang or Baso Urang Awak "our (people's) language") is often used and has become a kind of standard.
Examples
| Baso Minangkabau: | Sarang kayu di rimbo tak samo tinggi, kok kunun manusia (expression) |
| Bahasa Indonesia: | Pohon di rimba tidak sama tinggi, apalagi manusia |
| English: | The trees in the jungle are not (all) of the same height, let alone the people. |
| Baso Minangkabau: | Co a kongcek baranang co itu inyo (expression) |
| Bahasa Indonesia: | Dia berenang seperti katak |
| English: | He swims like a frog. (doing something without having a goal) |
| Baso Minangkabau: | Indak buliah mambuang sarok disiko! |
| Bahasa Indonesia: | Tidak boleh membuang sampah di sini! |
| English: | It is not allowed to dump rubbish here! |
Literature
- Tata Bahasa Minangkabau, Gerard Moussay
Languages of Indonesia | Austronesian languages | Languages of Malaysia | Malayo-Polynesian languages
Bahasa Minangkabau | Bahasa Minangkabau | Minangkabaus | Minangkabaun kieli
"Minangkabau language"