Buang, Mapos

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639: bzh
Alternate Names: Buang, Central Buang
Population: 7,000 (2001 UNESCO). 1,400 monolinguals (2001 UNESCO).
Location:: Morobe province: Mumeng district, middle Snake river area. 10 villages.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, North New Guinea, Huon Gulf, South, Hote-Buang, Buang
Dialects: Wagau, Mambump, Buweyeu, Wins, Chimbuluk, Papakene, Mapos. Lexical similarity: 61% between Mambump dialect and Mangga Buang [mmo].
Typology: SVO.
Language Use: Vigorous use in villages. Urban residents mainly use Tok Pisin [tpi] with children (2001 UNESCO). All domains in villages except church, where there is mixed use with other languages (2001 UNESCO). Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng]. Also use Tok Pisin [tpi], with some young people living in urban areas shifting. Also use Yabem [jae]. Used as L2 by Vehes [val].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1978–2003.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Buang, Mapos
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian, traditional religion.

Location: Morobe province: Mumeng district, middle Snake river area. 10 villages.