Bwanabwana

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
tte
Autonym
Bwanabwana, Tubetube
User Population

2,400 (2007 SIL), increasing. 720 monolinguals.

Location

Milne Bay province: Bwanabwana district, southeast Basilaki island, Engineer islands, Kitai island, Laseinie islands, Ware island.

Language Maps
Language Status

5* (Developing).

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

Wale (Ware, Wari), Kwalaiwa, Kitai, Naluwaluwali, Tewatewa, Koyagaugau, Ole, Anagusa. Lexical similarity: 52% with Duau [dva] (most similar).

Language Use

Important language at trade route center. Positive attitudes. Also use Dobu [dob]. Also use Duau [dva]. Also use Misima-Panaeati [mpx]. Also use Suau [swp]. Also use Tawala [tbo]. Used as L2 by ’Auhelawa [kud].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 50%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Literature. Dictionary. Texts. NT: 2004.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bwanabwana
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.