Baruga

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
bjz
Population

2,230 (2003 SIL), increasing. 200 monolinguals. 800 Tafota, 990 Bareji, 440 Mado.

Location

Oro Province, Tufi district, in Musa and Bariji rivers flood plains. Gaina [gcn], Bariji [bjc], and Yareba [yrb] language areas on south border; Ewage-Notu (Okeina dialect) [nou], Ambe Tofo, Korafe-Mokorua, Miniafia-Arifama, Ubir [ubr], and Maisin [mbq] villages and language areas are on east border. Dyke Ackland bay is north.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Trans-New Guinea, Greater Binanderean, Binanderean, Nuclear Binanderean, South Binanderean, Coastal Binanderean, Baruga
Dialects

Bareji, Baruga, Mado, Tafota Baruga. Lexical similarity: 56%–61% with Korafe-Yegha [kpr], Gaina [gcn] and Dogoro [dgx] (Dutton 1971), 43% with Ewage dialect of Ewage-Notu [nou].

Typology

SOV

Language Use

Vigorous. Many non-Baruga wives of Baruga men learn it. All domains. Some in religious services. All ages. Positive attitudes. Some also use Hiri Motu [hmo], Ewage dialect of Ewage-Notu [nou], Korafe-Yegha [kpr], Tok Pisin [tpi], or English [eng]. Hiri Motu use diminishing as government communication usually in English [eng].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 60%. Literacy rate in L2: 40%. 100% children, 45% women, 90% men. Prep to grade 2. Poetry. Bible portions: 1995–2008.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Baruga
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Work in Port Moresby and other towns but prefer to retire in Baruga territory. Christian, traditional religion.