Minangkabau language

Minangkabau (/ˌmēnäŋkəˈbau̇/ MEE-nahng-kah-bow; Baso Minangkabau, Jawi: بهاس منڠكربو‎, IPA: [ˈbaso mi.naŋˈka.bau]), simply known as Minang, is an Austronesian language spoken by the Minangkabau of West Sumatra, the western part of Riau, the southern and western coast of Aceh, the northern part of Bengkulu and Jambi, also in several cities throughout Indonesia by migrated Minangkabau. The language is also a lingua franca along the western coastal region of the province of North Sumatra, and is even used in parts of Aceh, where it is known as the Aneuk Jamee dialect.

Minangkabau is similar to Malay. The relationship between the languages is characterized in different ways. Some see Minangkabau as an early variety of Malay, while others think of Minangkabau as a distinct (Malayic) language.

Minangkabau is one of a few languages that generally lacks verb forms and grammatical subject-object distinctions.

The Minangkabau language is still commonly spoken amongst the Minangkabau people, and it is used amongst the widespread Minangkabau diaspora. The Minangkabau language is deemed as "informal" in the urban regions of Padang, with the Indonesian language being preferred instead in formal institutions. Youth in the city frequently uses a mixture of conversational Minang and Indonesian slang.