Minangkabau

Minangkabau is an Austronesian language spoken in the Minangkabau Highlands of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is also known as Padang, Padang-Minang, West Sumatran, or Minang. Minangkabau is a member of the Western Malayo-Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian language family, and is closely related to Indonesian, Malay, and other languages spoken in Sumatra, Malaysia, and Brunei. The language is not to be confused with the Minangkabau people, who speak a variety of Malay dialects. Minangkabau is written using the Latin alphabet, and has a rich oral tradition. The language has been heavily influenced by Islam, and many Minangkabau words have Arabic origins. Minangkabau is spoken by approximately 3.5 million people, making it one of the largest Austronesian languages. It is the official language of the Indonesian province of West Sumatra, and is also spoken in the neighbouring provinces of Riau, Jambi, and Bengkulu. The Minangkabau language has a number of unique features, including a system of honorifics and a unique form of speech known as basa campur. Minangkabau is also notable for its use of the plural pronoun kami to refer to both singular and plural first-person subjects, as well as its use of the inclusive we, kita. Minangkabau is a fascinating language with a rich history and a bright future. If you're interested in learning more about this unique language, be sure to check out our other articles on Minangkabau.