Page Type: languageTehit | Ethnologue

KPS ISO 639-3

Tehit

A language of Indonesia

ISO 639
kps
Alternate Names
Kaibus, Tahit, Tehid, Teminabuan
Population
10,000 (2000 R. Hesse). 500 monolinguals.
Location:
West Papua province: Sorong regency, most of Teminabuan sub-district, half of Sawiat sub-district, about 31 villages in southwest Bird’s Head.
Language Status
6b* (Threatened).
Classification
West Papuan, West Bird’s Head
Dialects
Tehit Jit, Mbol Fle, Saifi (Kna Saifi), Imyan (Tehit Imian), Sfa Riere (Sfa), Fkar, Sawiat Salmeit. Lexical similarity: 60% with Kalabra.
Language Use
Vigorous. Parents in villages in the interior pass Tehit on to children. In villages bordering towns, Indonesian [ind] used with children. Users of neighboring languages learn Tehit. All domains. Positive attitudes. Also use Dutch [nld]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Indonesian [ind], particularly in schools and as LWC. Also use Mai Brat [ayz].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Taught in primary schools. Bible portions: 1998.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tehit
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Christian, traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: West Papua province: Sorong regency, most of Teminabuan sub-district, half of Sawiat sub-district, about 31 villages in southwest Bird’s Head.