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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Pacific > Papua New Guinea > Kovai

Kovai

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3: kqb

Population	5,000 (2007 SIL).
Region	Morobe Province, Siassi District, Umboi or Rooke Island. 13 villages.
Language map	Papua New Guinea, Map 12, reference number 606
Alternate names	Kobai, Kowai
Classification	Trans-New Guinea, Finisterre-Huon, Huon, Kovai
Language use	Vigorous. Being retained despite pressure from Tok Pisin [tpi]. Use in the first 3 years of primary education and geographic isolation on an island help language maintenance. Tok Pisin used with outsiders (health personnel, government officials, including police) and also in church services alongside Kovai. All domains. All ages. Positive attitude.
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: 30%–40%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–60% (Tok Pisin). Taught in primary schools. Bible portions: 1993–1998.
Writing system	Latin script.
Comments	All but 2 villages are situated in an ancient caldera on this volcanic island. Traditional religion, Christian.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

BROWN, Alan, author. 1992. Kovai Organised Phonology Data.  

Vernacular Publications

Ai kayakon song yongong e matitlong ae, song albongon yong; Graded reader level 3. 2009.  

Ai kayakon song yongong e matitlong ae, song lalngon yong; Graded reader level 2. 2009.  

Ai kayakon song yongong e matitlong ae, song laulong yong; Graded reader level 1. 2009.  

Ai kon ingae erou longon, book 1. 2007.

Antare sisian kon. 2009.

Arau o antare. 2007.

Asum. 2007.

Egog tanem!, book 1. 2007.

Egog tanem!, book 2. 2007.

Galam komut. 2009.  

HIV o AIDS gueron. 2007.

Ilil o sauwir, book 1. 2007.

Ilil o sauwir, book 2. 2007.

Koto aon masakngon. 2007.

Mariwana. 2008.

Matao titlingon o gueron tongon songon. 1997.

Mum e monmonan amon ae anngon. 2008.  

Mum monmonan anngon - songon ae. 2008.

Mum monmonan anngon - songon ae. 2008.  

Non gagap pae. 2008.  

Non gagap pae. 2008.  

Non gagap pae. 2008.  

Om o biong. 2008.

Pue gilon mon. 2007.

Tapu o taku. 2007.

Ulgong gueron. 2007.