Bwanabwana

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
tte
Alternate Names
Tubetube
Population

2,400 (2007 SIL), increasing. 30% monolingual.

Location

Milne Bay Province, Bwanabwana district, Engineer islands, Laseinie islands, Ware island, Kitai island; southeast Basilaki island, some villages.

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

Anagusa, Kitai, Koyagaugau, Kwalaiwa, Naluwaluwali, Ole, Tewatewa, Wale (Ware, Wari). Lexical similarity: 52% with Duau [dva] (most similar).

Language Use

Important language at trade route center. Positive attitudes. Some also use Dobu [dob], Suau [swp], Tawala [tbo], Duau [dva], or Misima-Panaeati [mpx].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 50%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. Dictionary. NT: 2004.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bwanabwana
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian.