Oya’oya

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
oyy
Alternate Names
Daiomuni, Kuiaro, Loani, Simagahi
User Population

380 (2005 SIL).

Location

Milne Bay province: Samarai-Murua district, Bwanabwana local government area, southeast tip of Papuan mainland facing China strait.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Nuclear, Suauic
Dialects

Dialect subgroup. Reportedly similar to Unubahe [unu]. Lexical similarity: 61% with Wagawaga [wgb], 46% with Saliba [sbe], 31% with Tawala [tbo], 48% with Buhutu [bxh].

Language Use

All domains except singing. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng]. Some also use Suau [swp]. A few also use Tawala [tbo].

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Oya’oya
Writing

Unwritten [Qaax].

Other Comments

No schools. Children travel by boat to various offshore islands for school.