Classification
Mantauran is one of the most divergent dialects. Li (2001) classifies them as follows:
- Rukai
- Mantauran (萬山 Wanshan): 250–300 speakers
- (Main branch)
- Maga–Tona
- Maga (馬加 Majia)
- Tona (多納 Duona)
- Budai–Tanan (Rukai Proper)
- Budai (霧台 Wutai)
- Tanan (大南 Danan; also Taromak)
- Maga–Tona
Li considers Rukai to be the first language to have split from Proto-Austronesian. Below are the estimated divergence dates of various Formosan languages from Li (2008:215).
- Proto-Austronesian: 4,500 BCE
- Rukai: 3,000 BCE
- Tsouic: 2,500 BCE (split into Tsou and Southern Tsouic around 1,000 BCE)
- Most other splits: 2,000 to 0 BCE
- Western Plains: 1,000 CE
Read more about this topic: Rukai Language