Bariai

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
bch
Autonym
Bariai
User Population

1,400 (Gallagher 2008).

Location

West New Britain province: east of Cape Gloucester, northwest coast.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

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

None known. Lexical similarity: 72% with Kove [kvc], 76% with Lusi [khl].

Typology

SVO; prepositions, 14% of syllables are closed; morphologically less complex than most Austronesian languages.

Language Use

All domains except church and school, where there is mixed use. Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use Tok Pisin [tpi] (Gallagher 2008). Some also use Kove [kvc], especially elderly. Some also use Lusi [khl], especially elderly. Some also use Maleu-Kilenge [mgl], especially elderly. Used as L2 by Amara [aie], Anem [anz].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 41% (adults). Literacy rate in L2: 83% (adults). Dictionary. NT: 2012.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bariai
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

‘Kabana’ is acceptable to the 3 eastern villages but offensive to most of the population. Christian.