Page Type: languageMekeo | Ethnologue

MEK ISO 639-3

Mekeo

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639
mek
Alternate Names
Mekeo-Kovio
Population
20,000 (2015 BTA).
Location:
Central province: Kaiyuku district, inland, west boundary is Waima, east are Kuni [kse] and Kunimaipa [kup] language areas; into Gulf province.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Peripheral, Central Papuan, West Central Papuan, Nuclear
Dialects
East Mekeo, West Mekeo, North Mekeo, Northwest Mekeo (Kovio), Ninikani. Dialects mutually unintelligible, except North and West Mekeo, but most Mekeo are reportedly familiar with neighboring dialects. Kovio not contiguous and is peripheral to other dialects. Lexical similarity: 81% between Kovio dialect and West Mekeo and North Mekeo dialects, 79% with East Mekeo, 87% between East and West Mekeo dialects.
Language Use
All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use English [eng]. A few also use Tok Pisin [tpi].
Language Development
Grammar. NT: 1998.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mekeo
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Above average education level. Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Central province: Kaiyuku district, inland, west boundary is Waima, east are Kuni [kse] and Kunimaipa [kup] language areas; into Gulf province.