Dibiyaso

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
dby
Alternate Names
Bainapi, Dibiasu, Pikiwa
Population

1,950 (2000 census).

Location

Western Province, Makapa, Pikiwa, and Bamustu villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Trans-New Guinea, Bosavi
Dialects

Lexical similarity: 19% with Turumsa [tqm], 15% with Doso [dol].

Typology

SOV

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains, home, social events, cultural events. All ages. Most also use Gogodala [ggw], Kamula [xla], Doso [dol], English [eng], Hiri Motu [hmo], or Tok Pisin [tpi]. Strong sense of separate identity from the dominant Gogodala [ggw].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 5%–50%. Primary school instruction first 2 years.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Dibiyaso
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.