Duau

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
dva
Population

3,550 (1991 SIL). 20% monolingual.

Location

Milne Bay Province, Sawabwala, Normanby islands.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Nuclear, North Papuan Mainland-D’Entrecasteaux, Dobu-Duau
Dialects

Dawada, Guleguleu (Guragureu), Mwalukwasia, Siausi, Somwadina. Diverse dialects. No central or dominant dialect. Lexical similarity: 75% with Bunama [bdd], 52% with Mwatebu [mwa], Auhelawa [kud], and Bwanabwana [tte].

Language Use

Also use Dobu [dob].

Language Development
Many schools, but low literacy rate.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Duau
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.