Sobei

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
sob
Alternate Names
Biga, Imasi, Liki
Population

1,000 (Wurm 2000). Ethnic population: 1,850 (2000 D. Tryon).

Location

Papua Province, Sarmi regency, Sarmi subdistrict, north coast area east of Sarmi.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, North New Guinea, Sarmi-Jayapura Bay, Sarmi
Dialects

Comprehension of Liki [lio].

Language Use

Endangered (2000 D. Tryon; 2000 S. Wurm). Sobei speakers are beginning to shift to Papuan Malay [pmy]. Children are bilingual in Indonesian [ind] and tend to prefer it. Also use Papuan Malay [pmy] with people of other language areas.

Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Sobei
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Government schools through entire area. Increasing intermarriage with other groups. Christian.