Waima

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
rro
Alternate Names
Roro
Autonym
Waima
User Population

12,000 (2002 SIL). Ethnic population: 15,000 (2000 census).

Location

Central province: Bereina district, Hall Sound shores between Yule island and mainland, northwest of Port Moresby.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

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

Waima, Paitana, Roro. Roro and Paitana populations smaller and scattered. Lexical similarity: 45% with Kuni [kse] (most similar), 99% among all 3 dialects. All agree Waima is the main dialect.

Typology

SOV.

Language Use

Home, traditional ceremonies, play, public meetings, religious services. Used by all. Most also use English [eng]. Many also use Hiri Motu [hmo]. Some also use Tok Pisin [tpi]. Used as L2 by Lala [nrz].

Language Development

Radio. NT: 2003.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Waima
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Many schools.