Wedau

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
wed
Alternate Names
Wamira, Wedaun, Wedawan
Autonym
Pona Wedau
User Population

13,700, all users. L1 users: 2,700 (2001 SIL). L2 users: 11,000 (2021). 900 monolinguals.

Location

Milne Bay province: Rabaraba district, Weraura local government area, mainland from Kuvira Bay to Dogura along north coast.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Prestige language and LWC for other language groups.

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

Topura (Pona Topura), Yapoa, Lavora, Kwamana.

Language Use

Understood some in Oro Province. All domains. Used by all. Most also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Anuki [aui], Dawawa [dww], Gapapaiwa [pwg], Ghayavi [bmk], Gweda [grw], Haigwai [hgw], Kakabai [kqf], Kanasi [soq], Taupota [tpa], Tawala [tbo], Wa’ema [wag].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1927–1980.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Wedau
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.