Vitu

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
wiv
Alternate Names
Bali-Vitu, Muduapa, Pole Matotoa, Tok Vitu, Vittu, Witu
Autonym
Pole Vitu
User Population

7,000 (van den Berg and Bachet 2006).

Location

West New Britain Province: Talasea district, Vitu and Bali islands off northwest coast.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Meso Melanesian, Bali-Vitu
Dialects

Bali, Vitu (Witu). 2 or 3 dialects. Mudua Island variety may be a separate language.

Typology

SVO; prepositions; noun head initial, except articles; dual number; noun class (common and proper); indefinite common article; tense and aspect; 14 consonants and 5 vowels; stress on penultimate syllable; inclusive/exclusive pronouns; alienable/inalienable possession.

Language Use

Home, community; Mixed use: religion, education. Used by all. All also use Tok Pisin [tpi] (van den Berg and Bachet 2006). Also use English [eng] (van den Berg and Bachet 2006).

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 60%–80%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. NT: 2019.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Vitu
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

‘Vitu’ is island name.