Kerinci language

The Kerinci language (Kerinci: basê Kinci or Kerinci: basê Kincai) is an Austronesian language primarily spoken by the Kerinci people in Sungai Penuh and Kerinci Regency, and parts of Merangin and Bungo Regency in western Jambi, as well as several hamlets in Mukomuko Regency in Bengkulu. It is also spoken by the Kerinci diaspora in other regions of Indonesia, such as West Sumatra and Java, as well as outside Indonesia, such as Negeri Sembilan and Selangor in Malaysia. The total number of Kerinci language speakers was estimated to be around 250,000 in 2000. As an Austronesian language from the Malayo-Polynesian sub-group, the Kerinci language is also closely related to the Minangkabau and Jambi Malay languages spoken in neighboring regions.

The Kerinci language exhibits very high diversity. It is estimated that there are 130 sub-dialects and seven main dialects, which are the Gunung Raya, Danau Kerinci, Sitinjau Laut, Sungai Penuh, Pembantu Sungai Tutung, Belui Air Hangat and Gunung Kerinci dialects. Based on dialectometric calculations, the percentage difference between these seven dialects ranges from 51 to 65.5%. In comparison, the Kerinci language has a percentage difference ranging from 81 to 100% when compared to the Bengkulu and Minangkabau languages.