MunaButon

Muna–Buton, sometimes written as Muna–Buton or Muna-Buton, is a small language subgroup within the Austronesian language family. It comprises the Muna language, spoken on Muna Island, and the Buton language, spoken on Buton Island in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The two languages are closely related but are regarded as distinct by their communities and by linguists.

Muna–Buton is part of the Celebic branch of the Malayo-Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian languages. It is commonly treated as a sub-branch that links the Muna and Buton languages through shared phonological and lexical traits, descended from a common ancestral language in the region.

Together, Muna and Buton are spoken by communities in the Sulawesi archipelago and by migrants in adjacent areas. Indonesian is widely used in education, media, and official contexts, which can influence intergenerational language transmission. As with many regional languages, vitality varies by community and location.

The Muna and Buton peoples have distinct cultural identities, including traditional governance, music, and culinary practices. Buton Island is noted for its historical sultanate and trade links, which have shaped regional history and contact with other Indonesian and foreign communities.