Page Type: languageSomba-Siawari | Ethnologue

BMU ISO 639-3

Somba-Siawari

Somba-Siawari Autonym

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639
bmu
Alternate Names
Bulum, Burum, Burum-Mindik, Mindik
Autonym
Somba-Siawari
Population
10,000 (2000 census). 5,500 Somba, 4,500 Siawari. 1,000 monolinguals (2001 UNESCO). Ethnic population: 10,000 (2001 UNESCO).
Location:
Morobe province: Finschhafen district, Central Huon peninsula, Lae south of Cromwell Range, Burum river valley and west slopes of Kuat river; scattered in Port Moresby. 30 villages.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Trans-New Guinea, Finisterre-Huon, Huon, Western
Dialects
Somba, Siawari. Lexical similarity: 92% with dialects.
Typology
SOV; postpositions.
Language Use
Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng]. Also use Kâte [kmg]. Also use Tok Pisin [tpi]. Used as L2 by Tobo [tbv].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 80%. Literacy rate in L2: 80%–90%. 7,000 can read it, 6,000 can write it. 7 community schools. Taught in secondary schools. Dictionary. NT: 1992–2002.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Somba-Siawari
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
‘Bulum’ is the Kâte [kmg] name for the Burum area. Christian, traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Morobe province: Finschhafen district, Central Huon peninsula, Lae south of Cromwell Range, Burum river valley and west slopes of Kuat river; scattered in Port Moresby. 30 villages.