Buhutu

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
bxh
Alternate Names
Bohutu, Buhulu, Siasiada, Yaleba
Population

1,350 (2003 SIL), increasing. 20% monolingual. Ethnic population: 1,350.

Location

East tip of Papua, Milne Bay Province, Sagarai valley, Alotau district.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Nuclear, Suauic
Dialects

Similar to Unubahe [unu] and Oye’oye [oyy]. Lexical similarity: 68% with Suau [swp].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Many also use Suau [swp], Tawala [tbo]. More than 50% also use Tok Pisin [tpi]; fewer than 20% also use some Motu [meu]. 75% have proficiency in 2 to 3 other languages.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 75%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%. About 100 locally authored titles, plus audio and written translated materials. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. Grammar. Bible portions: 2012.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Buhutu
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian.