Tawala

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
tbo
Alternate Names
Tavara, Tawara
Autonym
Tawala
User Population

16,200, all users. L1 users: 10,000 (2001 SIL). L2 users: 6,200 (2021). Ethnic population: 10,000 (2001 SIL).

Location

Milne Bay province: Alotau district, Awaiama to East Cape, Milne Bay north and south shores, Basilaki and Sideia islands.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Nuclear, North Papuan Mainland-D’Entrecasteaux, Are-Taupota, Taupota
Dialects

Awayama (Awaiama, Awalama), Huhuna, Kehelala (East Cape, Keherara), Lelehudi, Tawala (Divinai, Diwinai, Tavara), Labe (Rabe), Yaleba (Ealeba, Gwavili, Gwawili, Wagawaga), Bohilai (Basilaki, Bohira’i), Sideya (Sideia). Each dialect is mutually intelligible with the others (Ezard 1997).

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Dobu [dob] (Ezard 1997). Also use English [eng] (Ezard 1997). Also use Hiri Motu [hmo] (Ezard 1997). Also use Suau [swp] (Ezard 1997). Also use Wedau [wed] (Ezard 1997). Used as L2 by ’Auhelawa [kud], Buhutu [bxh], Bwanabwana [tte], Haigwai [hgw], Maiwala [mum], Oya’oya [oyy], Taupota [tpa], Wa’ema [wag], Wagawaga [wgb], Yaleba [ylb].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 50%–75%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Grammar. NT: 1985.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tawala
Writing

Latin script [Latn].