Buang, Mapos

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
bzh
Alternate Names
Buang, Central Buang
User Population

7,000 (2001 UNESCO). 1,400 monolinguals (2001 UNESCO).

Location

Morobe province: Mumeng district, middle Snake river area. 10 villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, North New Guinea, Huon Gulf, South, Hote-Buang, Buang
Dialects

Wagau, Mambump, Buweyeu, Wins, Chimbuluk, Papakene, Mapos. Lexical similarity: 61% between Mambump dialect and Mangga Buang [mmo].

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Vigorous use in villages. Urban residents mainly use Tok Pisin [tpi] with children (2001 UNESCO). All domains in villages except church, where there is mixed use with other languages (2001 UNESCO). Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng]. Also use Tok Pisin [tpi], with some young people living in urban areas shifting. Also use Yabem [jae]. Used as L2 by Vehes [val].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 25%–50%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1978–2003.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Buang, Mapos
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.