Motu | Ethnologue

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639: meu
Alternate Names: Pure Motu, True Motu
Autonym: Motu
Population: 39,000 (2008 A. Taylor).
Location:: Central province: Port Moresby area, coastal villages from Galley Reach and Manumanu to GabaGaba.
Language Status: 5* (Developing).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Peripheral, Central Papuan, Sinagoro-Keapara
Dialects: Western Motu, Eastern Motu.
Language Use: Most also use English [eng] (Wu 2020). Most also use Tok Pisin [tpi] (Wu 2020). Used as L2 by Koita [kqi], Nama [nmx], Namat [nkm], Nambo [ncm], Namo [mxw], Neme [nex], Opao [opo], Purari [iar], Sinaugoro [snc], Toaripi [tqo], Toura [don], Uare [ksj].
Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1973.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Motu
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Government schools in all villages.

Location: Central province: Port Moresby area, coastal villages from Galley Reach and Manumanu to GabaGaba.