Makasae (also known as Makassai, Macassai, Ma'asae, Makasai) is a Papuan language spoken by about 100,000 people in the eastern part of East Timor, in the districts of Baucau and Viqueque, just to the west of Fataluku. It is the most widely spoken Papuan language west of New Guinea.

Quick Facts Native to, Region ...
Makasae
Native toEast Timor
RegionTimor Island, eastern end around Baucau and inland, west of Fataluku, from northern to southern coast in a dialect chain.
Native speakers
102,000 (2010 census)[1]
Dialects
  • Sa'ane
Official status
Recognised minority
language in
Language codes
ISO 639-3mkz
Glottologmaka1316
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Distribution of Makasae mother-tongue speakers in East Timor
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Distribution of Makalero
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Distribution of Sa'ane
Coordinates: 8°39′S 126°30′E
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Phonology

The data in this section are from Huber (2017).[2]

Consonants

Native consonant phonemes are shown in the chart below for the Ossu dialect. Borrowed consonants are enclosed in parentheses.

More information Labial, Alveolar ...
Consonant phonemes
  Labial Alveolar Velar Glottal
Plosive  b td kg ʔ 
Fricative f  s     h 
Nasal  m  n      
Lateral     l      
Trill     r      
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Vowels

Monophthongs

Makasae has five vowel phonemes.

More information Front, Central ...
Monophthong phonemes
  Front Central Back
Close i (i:)   u (u:)
Mid e (e:)   o (o:)
Open   a (a:)  
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References

Further reading

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