Tawala

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
tbo
Alternate Names
Tavara, Tawara
Population

20,000 (2000 census).

Location

Milne Bay Province, Alotau district, Awaiama to East Cape, Milne Bay north and south shores, Sideia and Basilaki islands.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Nuclear, North Papuan Mainland-D’Entrecasteaux, Are-Taupota, Taupota
Dialects

Awayama (Awaiama, Awalama), Bohilai (Basilaki, Bohira’i), Diwinai (Divinai), Huhuna, Kehelala (East Cape, Keherara), Labe (Rabe), Lelehudi, Sideya (Sideia), Yaleba (Ealeba, Gwavili, Gwawili, Wagawaga).

Typology

SVO

Language Use

40% monolingual. Also use Dobu [dob], Suau [swp], Motu [meu], Wedau [wed], or English [eng].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 50%–75%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Grammar. NT: 1985.
Writing
Latin script.