Konai

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
kxw
Alternate Names
Mirapmin
Autonym
Kala̱i̱
User Population

600 (2016 SIL).

Location

Western province: Upper Strickland river west side.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Trans-New Guinea, East Strickland
Dialects

Dahamo, Edolo, Tinahai. Reportedly most similar to Odoodee [kkc] and Fembe [agl].

Typology

SOV; Postpositions; Verbal affixation marks number, transitivity, mood, tense, and aspect; Tenses: 4 (Non-future, Future, Past, Non-Past), Aspects: 6 (Past Habitual, Present Habitual, Future Habitual, Prospective, Iterative, Progressive); Consonants: 13, Vowels: 6.

Language Use

All domains except in church and interactions with outsiders, where there is mixed use. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Some also use Aekyom [awi], especially older adults. Also use Tok Pisin [tpi].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: Below 5%. Literacy rate in L2: Below 5%. Grammar. NT: 2014.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Konai
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.