Basho language

Basho (Ī́ÕṾ; bashoke [bɐʃoˈke]) is a critically endangered Hokiraic language spoken primarily by the Basho people in Dasimagu. It currently has around 400 native speakers, a tremendous decline from 70,000 in 1921. Once a lingua franca of western Adrian Islands along with Hokirai and a major language in the Kali sect of Nutaderram, Basho lost its importance and popularity after people favored more on the Adrianese creole language.

Basho uses the Hokirai script for writing, and is one of the only few languages left to do so. In 2013, the Adrianese government planned to save the language from extinction by making the language mandatory in all schools in Dasimagu. The language has also been promoted in several universities in the Adrian Islands. In 2017, the first Basho-language university, Basho Ke University, was established in Bajongo.

Names
Basho was known in many names during the past. The several formal names of the language before the its loss of importance were 'kela oiboti' (language of the blessed), 'kela oipanti' (language of the educated), and 'kela basowa' (language of the gods). The modern name, 'Basho', came from kela basowa. In its currently extinct southern dialects, the language was referred to as 'naburoka' (speak the language).

Geographic distribution
Basho is spoken almost all the people in the island of Dasimagu, and only a few people in Bajongo. During most of its history, Basho was the lingua franca of the western archipelago of the Adrian Islands besides Hokirai. Several historical clay tablets written in the language were found in much of Tama Aylan. It was also the religious and the language of education of the Hokirai Kingdom.