Rifao

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
nmw
Autonym
Rifao
User Population

1,100 (2000 census). 440 monolinguals.

Location

Milne Bay province: Misima district, island group northwest of Sud-Est.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Peripheral, Kilivila-Louisiades, Nimoa-Sudest
Dialects

Saisai, Sabal, Nimowa (Nimoa). Lexical similarity: 44% with Sudest [tgo] (most similar).

Language Use

Also use Misima-Panaeati [mpx]. Used as L2 by Sudest [tgo].

Language Development

Bible portions: 1979–2016.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Rifao
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Half the children are in school.