Narak

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
nac
Alternate Names
Ganja
Autonym
Narak
User Population

8,000 (Hainsworth et al 2019). 4,200 monolinguals (2001 UNESCO). Ethnic population: 8,000 (Hainsworth et al 2019).

Location

Madang province: Usino-Bundi district; Western Highlands province: Hagen district, middle Jimi river valley near Tabibuga.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Trans-New Guinea, Chimbu-Wahgi, Jimi
Dialects

None known. Reportedly similar to Maring [mbw], Yuwei [whg], and Kandawo [gam].

Typology

SOV; Whistle speech reported.

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng] (Hainsworth et al 2019). Also use Tok Pisin [tpi] (Hainsworth et al 2019).

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 15%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%. Transfer primer from Tok Pisin. 10% can write Narak. Dictionary. NT: 1981.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Narak
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.