Sobei

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Indonesia

ISO 639-3
sob
Alternate Names
Biga, Imasi, Liki
User Population

1,000 (Wurm 2000). Ethnic population: 1,850 (2000 D. Tryon).

Location

Papua province: Sarmi regency, Sarmi sub-district, north coast area, Bagaiserwar, Sarmi, and Sawar villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, North New Guinea, Sarmi-Jayapura Bay, Sarmi
Dialects

None known. Reported comprehension of Liki [lio].

Typology

SVO; noun head initial; dual number; 15 consonants and 5 vowels; stress on final syllable of root; alienable/inalienable possession; inclusive/exclusive pronouns.

Language Use

Some shifting to Indonesian [ind], especially by children, who are bilingual and tend to prefer it. Some shifting to Papuan Malay [pmy].

Language Development

Dictionary.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Sobei
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Government schools through entire area. Increasing intermarriage with other groups. Christian.