Mutu

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
tuc
Alternate Names
Saveeng, Sisi, Tuam, Tuam-Mutu, Tuom
Population

3,500 (2007 SIL), increasing. Only older adults are monolingual. Ethnic population: 3,500.

Location

Morobe Province, south of Umboi island, Siassi islands, Mandok, Malai, Aronai, Tuam, Mutu Malau, and Aramot; Yaga village on Umboi Island.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, North New Guinea, Ngero-Vitiaz, Ngero, Tuam
Dialects

Malai, Oov/Mutu, Tuam.

Typology

SVO; prepositions

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, market, church. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 25%. Literacy rate in L2: 35%–50% in Tok Pisin [tpi], 20%–30% in English. Increasing. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. NT: 2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mutu
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.