Mekeo

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
mek
Alternate Names
Mekeo-Kovio
Population

19,000 (2003 SIL).

Location

Central Province, Kaiyuku district, inland, west boundary is Waima, east are Kuni [kse] and Kunimaipa [kup] language areas; into Gulf Province.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

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

East Mekeo, Ninikani, North Mekeo, Northwest Mekeo (Kovio), West Mekeo. Dialects mutually unintelligible, except North and West Mekeo, but most Mekeo are reportedly familiar with neighboring dialects. Kovio not contiguous and is peripheral to other dialects. Lexical similarity: 81% between Kovio dialect and West Mekeo and North Mekeo dialects, 79% with East Mekeo, 87% between East and West Mekeo dialects.

Language Use

Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Grammar. NT: 1998.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mekeo
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Above average education level.