Bwaidoka

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
bwd
Alternate Names
Bwaidoga
Autonym
Bwaidoka
User Population

7,640 (2019 SIL).

Location

Milne Bay province: Bolubolu district, west Fergusson island, south tip of Goodenough island.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Nuclear, North Papuan Mainland-D’Entrecasteaux, Bwaidoga
Dialects

Mataitai, Wagifa, Kilia, Lauwela, Bwaidoga, Faiyava, Belebele, Kalauna, Kiliva. Lexical similarity: 72% with Iduna [viv] (most similar).

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Main language used in church, along with Dobu [dob]. Oral and written use in local commerce. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Dobu [dob]. Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Iamalele [yml], Kaninuwa [wat], Koluwawa [klx], Minaveha [mvn], West Goodenough [ddi].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 65%. Literacy rate in L2: 65%–75%. Texts. Bible portions: 1934–2018.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bwaidoka
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Half of the children are in school.