Natügu

A language of Solomon Islands

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Nambakaengö, Natqgu, Northern Santa Cruz

Population

4,280 (2007 census), increasing.

Location

Temotu Province, west Santa Cruz island, Graciosa Bay; some on north coast.

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Dialects

Bënwë, Londai, Malo, Ndeni (Deni), Nea, Nooli. Speakers of most dialects understand Malo and Bënwë.

Typology

VSO

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, church, village. All ages. Increasingly positive attitudes. Most also use Pijin [pis].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 25%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–60%. English texts. Pijin lectures. Dictionary. NT: 2005–2008.

Language Resources

Writing

Latin script.