Based on its grammatical characteristics, Gorontalo Malay is classified as Malay trade and creole languages.[6][7] In general, the Gorontalo Malay functions as lingua franca in Gorontalo and the surrounding area, including several areas in the northern part of Tomini Bay which are also inhabited by the Gorontalo people.[8][9]
The influence of Arabic language is very visible in Gorontalo Malay. This can be seen from several Arabic vocabularies that have been absorbed into Gorontalo Malay, for example the word ana أنا as the first person singular pronoun (me), and ente أنت as the second person singular pronoun (you).[10]
Gorontalo Malay initially developed in the coastal region of Gorontalo, especially in port cities, then gained influence from languages of Arabic, Dutch, Ternate Malay, and was mainly based on Manado Malay,[11] and Gorontalo languageasmother tongue of the people.[3][12] Gorontalo Malay also has several similarities with Ternate Malay in terms of vocabulary and grammar, something that is also found in other Eastern Indonesia Malay varieties. One of the differences between Gorontalo Malay and other Eastern Indonesia Malay languages is the pronunciation intonation used, this is very influenced by the Gorontalo language.[5]
In some verbs and nouns in standard Malay that use the letter [ə], there is a change in the pronunciation of vowel phonemes which is influenced by speech in Gorontalo language, so in Gorontalo Malay the pronunciation will change to the letter [o], for example bolajar 'belajar' (study), posawat 'pesawat' (aircraft), moncuci 'mencuci' (wash), and also has an influence on the pronunciation of the word "Melayu" (Malay) itself as Molayu.[2]
^Suartini, N.L.S. (2012). Pergeseran Bahasa Masyarakat Bali di Lokasi Transmigrasi Desa Raharja Kecamatan Wonosari Kabupaten Boalemo. Skripsi, 1 (311408047).
