Banggai language


The Banggai language is the main language spoken by the inhabitants of the Banggai [Islands Regency|Banggai Archipelago] off the island of Sulawesi. It belongs to the Saluan–Banggai branch of the Celebic subgroup.
Historically, Banggai was a spoken language without a long literary history. The earliest surviving manuscript in the Banggai language comes from the 19th century, the account of a Banggai fisherman who was sold into slavery by Maguindanaoan raiders in the 1860s-70s before escaping.

Phonology

Consonants

  • /s/ may also be heard as prenasal when after nasal sounds.
  • Other sounds like are heard in loanwords from neighboring languages.

    Vowels

  • Vowels /e, o/ can also be heard as in closed syllables.