Ikobi

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639: meb
Alternate Names: Ikobi Kairi, Ikobi-Mena, Kasere, Kopo-Monia, Meni, Wailemi
Population: 1,570 (2009 SIL).
Location:: Gulf province: south of Kibirowi island, upper Omati and Middle Turama rivers’ areas.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Trans-New Guinea, Turama-Kikorian, Kaser
Dialects: Upper Turama Kaser, Upper Kikori Kaser, Dukemi. Barikewa [jbk] and Mouwase [jmw] reportedly most similar. Mena variety may be a separate language (Wurm and Hattori 1981).
Language Use: Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Hiri Motu [hmo] (Bullock 2015). Most also use Tok Pisin [tpi] (Bullock 2015). Some also use English [eng] (Bullock 2015). Used as L2 by Minanibai [mcv].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Below 5%. Literacy rate in L2: Below 5%. Literature.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Ikobi
Writing: Latin script [Latn], limited usage.

Location: Gulf province: south of Kibirowi island, upper Omati and Middle Turama rivers’ areas.