Pronunciation: [sɔːmlˈaki] (IPA) 
Saumlaki is a city in Indonesia located on the island of Yamdena. The word "saumlaki" is pronounced /saʊmlɑki/. The initial "s" is pronounced as an unvoiced alveolar sibilant /s/, followed by the diphthong "au" /aʊ/ which represents the sounds of /a/ and /u/ together. The "m" is pronounced as a bilabial nasal /m/, and the final syllable "laki" is pronounced as /lɑki/. The letter "k" represents a voiceless velar stop /k/.
Saumlaki is a proper noun that refers to a language primarily spoken in the Saumlaki subdistrict of Maluku Tenggara Barat Regency in Indonesia. It belongs to the Trans–New Guinea family and is specifically classified as a member of the East Bomberai branch. The Saumlaki language is utilized as a means of communication by the indigenous communities of the region.
Additionally, Saumlaki can also refer to the capital city of Yamdena Island in the Tanimbar Islands, Maluku Province, Indonesia. This city serves as the administrative center of the Maluku Tenggara Barat Regency. Saumlaki is known for its small but determined fishing industry, bustling markets, and its significance as a transportation hub. The city's population consists primarily of individuals who speak the Saumlaki language.
The term "saumlaki" can be used to describe anything pertaining to the language, culture, or people indigenous to the Saumlaki subdistrict or the city of Saumlaki. It is vital to recognize the nuances and context in which the term is being used to avoid confusion between the language and the city.
The word "Saumlaki" is actually derived from the Saumlaki language, spoken by the indigenous people in the Saumlaki Bay area of Yamdena Island, which is part of the Tanimbar Islands in Indonesia. The etymology of the word "Saumlaki" itself is not well-documented, but it is believed to have originated from the local language of the Saumlaki people. It likely refers to the name of the village or region where the language was first spoken.
