Duau

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
dva
User Population

5,000 (2004 SIL). 1,000 monolinguals (2004).

Location

Milne Bay province: Normanby and Sawabwala islands.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

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

Mwalukwasia, Somwadina, Guleguleu (Guragureu), Dawada, Siausi. Diverse dialects. No central or dominant dialect. Lexical similarity: 75% with Bunama [bdd], 52% with Mwatebu [mwa], Auhelawa [kud], and Bwanabwana [tte].

Language Use

Used by all. Most also use Dobu [dob]. Many also use Bunama [bdd]. Many also use English [eng], especially young people. Used as L2 by ’Auhelawa [kud], Bwanabwana [tte], Mwatebu [mwa].

Language Development

Many schools, but low literacy rate.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Duau
Writing

Latin script [Latn], limited usage.

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.