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Cia-Cia Tribe : In News

Cia-Cia Tribe : In News

The Cia-Cia tribe on Buton Island, Indonesia, is using Hangul, the Korean alphabet, to document and preserve their indigenous language, which has survived orally for centuries but lacks its own script.

  • Cia-Cia tribe is Indigenous community in Buton Island, Indonesia, with a population of around 93,000.
  • The Cia-Cia language has existed orally for centuries without a formal script, making it vulnerable to extinction.
  • Preservation efforts: To prevent language loss, Cia-Cia is being transcribed using Hangul, which aligns closely with its phonetic structure.

Hangul Script:

  • Known for its unique phonetic system of circles and lines, representing sounds clearly.
  • Adoption for Cia-Cia: Introduced in 2009 for Cia-Cia as Arabic script did not suit the language’s sounds.
  • Implementation: Used in schools, textbooks, and public signs in Cia-Cia areas.
  • Cultural concerns: While some fear cultural influence, others believe the adaptation helps preserve Cia-Cia’s uniqueness.