Hamtai

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
hmt
Alternate Names
Hamday, Kamea, Kapau, Watut, “Kukukuku” (pej.)
Autonym
Hamtai
User Population

45,000 (1998 T. Palmer). Ethnic population: 66,000 (2000 census).

Location

Gulf province: Kukipi district, Tauri river inland east to Ladedamu river; Morobe province: Lae district, Kodama range into Bulolo-Watut divide, to Mount Grosse and north to Mount Taylor.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Trans-New Guinea, Angan, Nuclear Angan
Dialects

Wenta, Howi, Pmasa’a, Hamtai, Kaintiba.

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Also use English [eng] (Moretti 2006). Also use Tok Pisin [tpi], especially young people (Moretti 2006).

Language Development

Grammar. NT: 1974–2013.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Hamtai
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

‘Kamea’ is used in Gulf Province.