Woleaian

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A language of Micronesia

ISO 639-3
woe
Population

1,630 (1987 census).

Location

Yap state: eastern islands, mainly Woleai (Wottegai) island and others: Eauripik, Elato, Falalop (Falalap), Falalus, Faraulep, Ifaluk, Lamotrek, Mariang, Paliau, Seliap (Sulywap), and Tegailap (Tagalap) islands; some inhabited, 22 islands total.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing). Statutory language of provincial identity in State of Yap (1982, Yap State Constitution, Article 14(5)).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Pohnpeic-Chuukic, Chuukic
Dialects

Woleaian, Lamotrek. 84% intelligibility of Satawalese [stw], 81% of Ulithian [uli], 50% of Sonsorol [sov], very low of Puluwatese [puw] and Chuukese [chk]. Lexical similarity: 88% with Satawalese [stw] and Carolinian [cal], 82% with Puluwatese [puw], 80% with Ulithian [uli], 78% with Mortlockese [mrl], 75% with Chuukese [chk].

Language Use

Vigorous. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng].

Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Woleaian
Writing

Woleai script [Wole], no longer in use.

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