Gumawana

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
gvs
Alternate Names
Domdom, Gumasi, Gumasila
Population

470 (2000 census), increasing. 10% monolingual.

Location

Milne Bay Province, Esa’ala district, Amphlett Islands, about 25 islands north of Fergusson. 7 villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

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

Gumawana, Kotoita, Nubogeta. Lexical similarity: 48% with Galeya [gar], 47% with Dobu [dob] (most similar).

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Negative attitudes. Also use Dobu [dob], Kilivila [kij], Boselewa [bwf], Maiodomu [mzz], or Galeya [gar].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 90%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%. Tend not to read Gumawana or Dobu but increase in English use and literacy. Poetry. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1992–1999.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Gumawana
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian.