Language Kinship between Tulambatu and Tolaki Language in North Konawe

Abstract This study was intended to explore the genetic relationship between Tulambatu and Tolaki languages as members of Austronesian family language, particularly those included in the branch of Malay Polynesian sub-group. They have identical and similar lexis, phonetics, as well as corresponding phonemic and different phonemes. The aims of this study were: (1) to describe the level of genetic relationship between Tulambatu and Tolakinese languages in North Konawe regency, (2) to determine the period when the two languages were separated in terms of the basic vocabulary, (3) to predict the age of Tulambatu and Tolakinese languages in North Konawe regency. Data of the study were 200 vocabulary of Tulambatu and Tolakinese languages based on Swadesh lists that have been translated by native speakers of the two languages. The study was a historical comparative linguistics research and used the Lexicostatistics technique to find evidences that explain the genetic relationship of the languages. Based on the Lexicostatistics technique, it was found that the percentage of the vocabulary relationship of Tulambatu and Tolakinese languages was 52.02%. This proved that both languages are members of a sub-family of genetically similar languages (Astronesian Malayo Polinesian). In addition, it is believed that Tulambatu and Tolakinese languages were a single language 1636-1378 years ago, and they began to separate from their mother language around 379-637 AD (as of 2015).