Isirawa

Print

A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
srl
Alternate Names
Okwasar, Saberi, Saweri
Population

1,800 (Wurm 2000).

Location

Papua Province, Jayapura, north coast, Sarmi area and west, Mararena, Kamenawari, Amsira, Siaratesa, Perkami, Martewar, Arsania, Nisero, Arabais, Webro, Wari, Nuerawar, and Waim villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Tor-Kwerba, Greater Kwerba, Isirawa
Dialects

Eastern Isirawa, Western Isirawa. Similar to Kwerba [kwe]. Dialects very similar.

Language Use

Potentially endangered (2000 S. Wurm). Vigorous, but losing its trade language status to Indonesian [ind]; children are beginning to prefer Indonesian (2007).

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%–15%. NT: 2005.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Isirawa
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.