Namia

Primary tabs

Edawapi, Lujere, Namie, Nemia, Yellow River

7,000 (2011 SIL), increasing. 300 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 7,000 (2011 SIL).

East Sepik province: Ameni, Edwaki, Iwane, Lawo, Pabei, Panewai village, and Wiyari areas; Sandaun province: Yellow River district, 19 villages.

Language Maps

6a (Vigorous).

None known. Reportedly most similar to Ak [akq] and Awun [aww]. Lexical similarity: 13% with Abau [aau], 12% with May River Iwam [iwm].

SOV; postpositions; consonant clusters; vowel glides; 6 phonemic vowels.

Vigorous. Home, prep schools. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Tok Pisin [tpi], especially young people. Also use English [eng].

Literacy rate in L1: 5%–15%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75% in Tok Pisin [tpi]. Literature. Grammar. Bible portions: 1996–2009.

Latin script [Latn].