Sibe

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
nco
Alternate Names
Nagovisi, Sibbe, Sibe-Nagovisi
Population

6,000 (2011 SIL), increasing. 100 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 15,000.

Location

Bougainville Province, Buin district.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing). Statutory language of provincial identity in Bougainville Autonomous Region (2007, Education Plan, Section 1.1.3), not yet implemented (2012).

Classification
South Bougainville, Nasioi
Dialects

Laagasi’, Teleipi, Tobe’laaki’, To’mau, Welipe’.

Language Use

No real respect for Sibe. All ages. Bilingual among related languages.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: more than 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Literacy stopped, but revival plans exist. Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. Bible portions: 1984.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Sibe
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Moderate acculturation. Christian.