Maiwa

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3

Population

1,400 (1998 SIL), increasing.

Location

Milne Bay Province, Rabaraba district, Meneao range area; Moi Biri bay coast, into Oro Province.

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Dialects

Gairen, Gwareta, Maiwa, Manigara, Oren. Lexical similarity: 41% with Mapena [mnm].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains, except church and education. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng]. Some also use Motu [meu].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%. Taught in primary schools. Grammar. NT: 2012.

Language Resources

Writing

Latin script.

Other Comments

Christian.