Bariai | Ethnologue

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639: bch
Autonym: Bariai
Population: 1,400 (Gallagher 2008).
Location:: West New Britain province: east of Cape Gloucester, northwest coast.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, North New Guinea, Ngero-Vitiaz, Ngero, Bariai
Dialects: None known. Lexical similarity: 72% with Kove [kvc], 76% with Lusi [khl].
Typology: SVO; prepositions, 14% of syllables are closed; morphologically less complex than most Austronesian languages.
Language Use: All domains except church and school, where there is mixed use. Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use Tok Pisin [tpi] (Gallagher 2008). Some also use Kove [kvc], especially elderly. Some also use Lusi [khl], especially elderly. Some also use Maleu-Kilenge [mgl], especially elderly. Used as L2 by Amara [aie], Anem [anz].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 41% (adults). Literacy rate in L2: 83% (adults). Dictionary. NT: 2012.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Bariai
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: ‘Kabana’ is acceptable to the 3 eastern villages but offensive to most of the population. Christian.

Location: West New Britain province: east of Cape Gloucester, northwest coast.