Kuanua

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
ksd
Alternate Names
Blanche Bay, Gunantuna, Neu-Pommern, New Britain Language, Tolai, Tuna
Autonym
Tinata Tuna
User Population

148,000, all users. L1 users: 120,000 (Martin 2013). L2 users: 28,000 (2021). Ethnic population: 120,000 (Martin 2013).

Location

East New Britain province: Rabaul district, Gazelle peninsula.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Used as a church language widely in New Ireland and East New Britain provinces within the United Church. It is not used beyond the church domain in most of the language groups that use it for church.

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Meso Melanesian, New Ireland, South New Ireland-Northwest Solomonic, Patpatar-Tolai
Dialects

Vunadidir, Rapitok, Raluana, Vanumami, Livuan, Matupit, Kokopo, Kabakada, Nodup, Kininanggunan, Rakunei, Rebar, Watom, Masawa.

Language Use

Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Tok Pisin [tpi] (Tateyama 2006). Many also use English [eng], especially older adults (Martin 2013). Used as L2 by Kandas [kqw], Minigir [bxf], Qaqet [byx], Ramoaaina [rai], Simbali [smg], Tigak [tgc], Tulil [tuh], Ura [uro], Vinitiri [vmg].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1983.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kuanua
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.