Kibiri

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
prm
Alternate Names
Gibiri, Polome, Porome
User Population

1,180 (2011 SIL). 900 Porome, 280 Kibiri. Ethnic population: 1,360 (2000 census).

Location

Gulf province: Kikori district, Babaguina, Doibo, Ero, Paile, Tipeowo, and Wowa villages near Aird Hills, Kikori river tributaries.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Trans-New Guinea, Kiwaian
Dialects

Aird Hills (Kibiri), Porome. Unrelated to other Gulf Province languages.

Language Use

Some of all ages. In Porome-speaking villages, Porome is used by all. In Kibiri-speaking villages, only the older generation uses Kibiri (Petterson 2019). Also use English [eng]. Also use Hiri Motu [hmo], with Kibiri-speaking young people shifting (Petterson 2019). Also use Kerewo [kxz], with Kibiri-speaking young people shifting (Petterson 2019).

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 15%–25%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%. Literature.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kibiri
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Different from Rumu [klq], which is also called Kibiri.