Lihir

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
lih
Alternate Names
Lir
Population

12,600 (2000 census), increasing.

Location

New Ireland Province, Lihir and 3 smaller islands.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Meso Melanesian, New Ireland, Tabar
Language Use

Home, school, church, community. All ages. Positive attitudes. Tok Pisin [tpi] use increasing due to foreign workers at Lihir gold mining company.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 80%. Literacy rate in L2: 95%. Taught in primary schools.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Lihir
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.