Motu

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
meu
Alternate Names
Pure Motu, True Motu
Autonym
Motu
User Population

39,000 (2008 A. Taylor).

Location

Central province: Port Moresby area, coastal villages from Galley Reach and Manumanu to GabaGaba.

Language Maps
Language Status

5* (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Peripheral, Central Papuan, Sinagoro-Keapara
Dialects

Western Motu, Eastern Motu.

Language Use

Most also use English [eng] (Wu 2020). Most also use Tok Pisin [tpi] (Wu 2020). Used as L2 by Koita [kqi], Nama [nmx], Namat [nkm], Nambo [ncm], Namo [mxw], Neme [nex], Opao [opo], Purari [iar], Sinaugoro [snc], Toaripi [tqo], Toura [don], Uare [ksj].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1973.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Motu
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Government schools in all villages.