Asmat, Central

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A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
cns
Alternate Names
Jas, Manowee, Yas
User Population

7,000 (Roesler 1972). Most are monolingual.

Location

Papua province: Asmat regency; Sawa-Erma, Agats, Atsy, and Pantai Kasuari sub-districts, south coast from Owap river northwest to Farec river southwest, inland; Mappi regency, Edera and Nambai sub-districts in Digul river delta area.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification
Trans-New Guinea, Asmat-Kamoro, Asmat
Dialects

Simai (Simay), Misman, Ajam (Ayam). Reportedly similar to Sempan [xse] north of the rivers, Kamoro [kgq] and Citak [txt].

Language Use

Also use Indonesian [ind].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: Less than 5% in Indonesian [ind]. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1985.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Asmat, Central
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.