Tobian language
| Tobian | |
|---|---|
| Ramarih Hatohobei | |
| Native to | Palau |
| Region | Hatohobei, Koror, Sonsorol |
Native speakers | 150 (2017) |
Austronesian
| |
| Latin script | |
| Official status | |
Official language in | Palau |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | tox |
| Glottolog | tobi1238 |
| ELP | Tobian |
| Coordinates: 3°00′N 131°10′E / 3.00°N 131.17°E | |
| Pidgin Tobi | |
|---|---|
Native speakers | None |
Tobi-based pidgin | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | None (mis) |
| Glottolog | hora1238 |
| ELP | Tobian |
Tobian (ramarih Hatohobei, literally "the language of Tobi") is the language of Tobi, one of the Southwest Islands of Palau, and the main island of Hatohobei state. Tobian is a Micronesian language spoken by approximately 150 people, about 22 are native speakers. The speakers are located in either the island of Tobi or in Echang, a hamlet of Koror, the former capital of Palau. Tobian and Sonsorolese are very close, and appear to be gradually merging towards a new dialect called "Echangese". Earlier in the 20th century, about 1000 people lived on the island. Shortly before and during the First World War, those numbers dropped severely due to an abundance of disease.