Kiwai, Southern

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
kjd
Alternate Names
Kiwai
Population

9,700 (Wurm 1975). 3,800 in Coast, 1,000 in Daru, 4,500 in Island Kiwai, 400 in Doumori.

Location

Western Province, Fly river delta, Fly river north bank.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Trans-New Guinea, Kiwaian
Dialects

Coast Kiwai, Island Kiwai (Bamu Kiwai).

Language Use

Very positive attitudes. They consider it superior to related languages.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 15%–25%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. NT: 1960.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kiwai, Southern
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

All dialect speakers agree the language and cultural center is on Kiwai Island.