Malalamai

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
mmt
Alternate Names
Bonga, Garpunei
Population

900 (2011 SIL).

Location

Madang Province, Rai coast east of Saidor; Malalamai, Yara and Bonga villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, North New Guinea, Ngero-Vitiaz, Ngero, Bariai
Language Use

Endangered (2000 D. Tryon). Under pressure from neighboring languages, such as Malasanga [mqz] and Tok Pisin [tpi], which the children prefer.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Malalamai
Other Comments

People say Malalamai and Bonga names were given by the Australian administration. Bonga village is called Garingei by residents. Malalamai village residents call their village and language Garpunei. No residents could provide an agreed upon language name, though they agree it is the same language.