Saliba

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
sbe
Population

2,500 (2007 SIL), increasing. About 1,000 monolinguals (young children, elderly).

Location

Milne Bay Province, China strait, Sariba and Rogeia islands, mainland across from Rogeia island.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

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

Loga, Saliba. Distinct from Suau [swp].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng], Tok Pisin [tpi], or Suau [swp].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 87%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%. Taught in primary schools, up to Grade 2. Poetry. Grammar. Bible portions: 2007.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian.