Saparua language

{{short description|Austronesian language spoken in Maluku, Indonesia}}

{{Infobox language

|name=Saparua

|altname=Iha

|states=Indonesia

|region=Seram and Saparua Islands, Maluku

|ethnicity=

|speakers={{sigfig|10200|3}}

|date=1989

|ref = e18

|familycolor=Austronesian

|fam2=Malayo-Polynesian (MP)

|fam3=Central–Eastern MP

|fam4=Central Maluku ?

|fam5=East Central Maluku

|fam6=Seram ?

|fam7=Nunusaku

|fam8=Piru Bay

|fam9=East

|fam10=Solehua

|fam11=Seram Straits

|fam12=Uliase

|iso3=spr

|glotto=sapa1251

|glottorefname=Saparua

}}

Saparua is an Austronesian language spoken in Maluku of eastern Indonesia. Dialects are diverse, and Latu might be included as one. Saparua is currently spoken by around 1,500 people, and it is threatened by extinction. According to a researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency, Khairunnisa, stated that this is caused by the influences of Dutch colonialism, the sectarian conflict, migration, globalization, and the duty to speak Indonesian.{{cite web|url=https://www.brin.go.id/news/117815/bahasa-saparua-terancam-punah-periset-brin-ungkap-penyebabnya|title=Bahasa Saparua Terancam Punah, Ternyata Ini Sebabnya|website=brin.go.id|access-date=2024-03-16}}