Bauni | Ethnologue

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639: bpe
Alternate Names: Barapu, Barupu, Warapu
Autonym: Bauni
Population: 2,220 (2000 census). Ethnic population: 2,220 (2000 census).
Location:: Sandaun province: West Aitape LLG, Barupu, Pou, and Warapu villages.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Skou, Skou-Serra-Lagoon, Serra Hills, Lagoon
Dialects: Barapu (Barapu-Warapu), Pou. Lexical similarity: 47%–67% between Barapu and Pou; 38%–52% with Bouni [suo], 50%–59% with Uni [uni] (Miller 2017).
Typology: SOV; dual number; gender distinctions in pronouns; polysynthetic language; 9 consonants and 6 vowels; tonal (5 word tone melodies); richest system of applicatives of any known language.
Language Use: People are very conscious of retaining the language and culture, as a result of the 1998 tsunami (Corris 2005). Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng] (Corris 2005). Also use Tok Pisin [tpi], in town and with outsiders (Corris 2005). Also use Uni [uni] (Miller 2017). Used as L2 by Uni [uni].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Grammar. Bible portions: 2013–2018.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Bauni
Writing: Latin script [Latn].

Location: Sandaun province: West Aitape LLG, Barupu, Pou, and Warapu villages.