Baruga

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
bjz
Autonym
Baruga
User Population

2,230 (2003 SIL), increasing. 800 Tafota, 990 Bareji, 440 Mado. 200 monolinguals.

Location

Oro province: Tufi district, west Musa and Bariji rivers flood plains; Gaina [gcn], Bariji [bjc], and Yareba [yrb] language areas on south and west borders, Dyke Ackland bay is north; Ewage-Notu (Okeina dialect) [nou], Ambe Tofo, Korafe-Mokorua, Miniafia-Arifama, Ubir [ubr], and Maisin [mbq] villages on the east.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Trans-New Guinea, Greater Binanderean, Binanderean, Nuclear Binanderean, South Binanderean, Coastal Binanderean, Baruga
Dialects

Bareji, Baruga, Mado, Tafota Baruga. Lexical similarity: 56%–61% with Korafe-Yegha [kpr], Gaina [gcn] and Dogoro [dgx] (Dutton 1971), 43% with Ewage dialect of Ewage-Notu [nou].

Typology

SOV.

Language Use

Vigorous. Many non-Baruga wives of Baruga men learn it. All domains. Some in religious services. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Some also use Hiri Motu [hmo], but this population is diminishing. Also use English [eng], especially for government communications. Also use Ewage-Notu [nou]. Also use Korafe-Yegha [kpr]. Also use Tok Pisin [tpi]. Used as L2 by Maisin [mbq].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 60%. Literacy rate in L2: 40%. 100% children, 45% women, 90% men. Literature. Texts. NT: 2017.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Baruga
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Work in Port Moresby and other towns but prefer to retire in Baruga territory. Christian, traditional religion.