Nakanai

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
nak
Alternate Names
Nakonai
User Population

30,000 (2000 census).

Location

East New Britain province: small area in Pomio district, Mamusi-West Pomio RLLG; West New Britain province: Talasea district, especially Hoskins RLLG, and northwest coast, Biala RLLG, 42 villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

5* (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Meso Melanesian, Willaumez
Dialects

Losa (Auka, Loso), Bileki (Lakalai, Mamuga, Muku), Vere (Tarobi, Vele), Ubae (Babata), Maututu.

Language Use

Also use English [eng] (Chowning and Goodenough 2016). Also use Tok Pisin [tpi] (Chowning and Goodenough 2016). Used as L2 by Bebeli [bek], Mangseng [mbh].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1983.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nakanai
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Major language of the Nakanai family. Christian, traditional religion.