Page Type: languageHaigwai | Ethnologue

HGW ISO 639-3

Haigwai

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639
hgw
Alternate Names
Garaghwaghi, Kapulika, Naura
Population
1,060 (2000 census). 160 monolinguals.
Location:
Milne Bay province: Alotau district, Huhu local government area, inland from Milne Bay head between Hagita and Waigani estates and mountains west.
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, Are-Taupota, Taupota
Dialects
Naura, Kapulika. Naura dialect and Gweda [grw] users agree that Gweda is most similar to Haigwai. Lexical similarity: 68% between the Naura dialect and Gweda, 65% between Kapulika dialect and Taupota [tpa], 52% with Wedau [wed], 48% with Maiwala [mum].
Language Use
Home, Community. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Some also use Tok Pisin [tpi]. Also use Buhutu [bxh]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Hiri Motu [hmo]. Also use Suau [swp]. Also use Tawala [tbo]. Also use Wedau [wed]. Used as L2 by Unubahe [unu].
Language Development
1 mother tongue primary school.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Milne Bay province: Alotau district, Huhu local government area, inland from Milne Bay head between Hagita and Waigani estates and mountains west.