Duau

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639: dva
Population: 5,000 (2004 SIL). 1,000 monolinguals (2004).
Location:: Milne Bay province: Normanby and Sawabwala islands.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Nuclear, North Papuan Mainland-D’Entrecasteaux, Dobu-Duau
Dialects: Mwalukwasia, Somwadina, Guleguleu (Guragureu), Dawada, Siausi. Diverse dialects. No central or dominant dialect. Lexical similarity: 75% with Bunama [bdd], 52% with Mwatebu [mwa], Auhelawa [kud], and Bwanabwana [tte].
Language Use: Used by all. Most also use Dobu [dob]. Many also use Bunama [bdd]. Many also use English [eng], especially young people. Used as L2 by ’Auhelawa [kud], Bwanabwana [tte], Mwatebu [mwa].
Language Development: Many schools, but low literacy rate.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Duau
Writing: Latin script [Latn], limited usage.
Other Comments: Christian, traditional religion.

Location: Milne Bay province: Normanby and Sawabwala islands.