Amami language

The Amami language (島口, Shimayumuta) is a member of the Ryukyuan languages. It is spoken in the Amami Islands of southern Japan.

Amami language
島口
Native to	Japan
Region	Amami Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture
Language family	Japonic Ryukyuan languages Northern Ryukyuan Amami language
Dialects	Amami Ōshima Kikai Southern Amami Ōshima Okinoerabu Yoron Tokunoshima
Language codes
ISO 639-3	Either: ryn – Northern ams – Southern (Setouchi)

Amami is in the northern group of the Ryukyuan languages, along with Okinawan and Kunigami. There are many dialect groups of the Amami language: Amami Ōshima, Kikai, Southern Amami Ōshima, Okinoerabu, Yoron and Tokunoshima. The dialects of Yoron and Okinoerabu may actually be a part of the Kunigami language.

Most Amami speakers are elderly, and younger Amami locals mainly speak Japanese.