TBO ISO 639-3
Tawala
Tawala Autonym
A language of Papua New Guinea
- ISO 639
- tbo
- Alternate Names
- Tavara, Tawara
- Autonym
- Tawala
- Population
- 16,200, all users. L1 users: 10,000 (2001 SIL). L2 users: 6,200 (2021). Ethnic population: 10,000 (2001 SIL).
- Location:
- Milne Bay province: Alotau district, Awaiama to East Cape, Milne Bay north and south shores, Basilaki and Sideia islands.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication).
- 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
- Awayama (Awaiama, Awalama), Huhuna, Kehelala (East Cape, Keherara), Lelehudi, Tawala (Divinai, Diwinai, Tavara), Labe (Rabe), Yaleba (Ealeba, Gwavili, Gwawili, Wagawaga), Bohilai (Basilaki, Bohira’i), Sideya (Sideia). Each dialect is mutually intelligible with the others (Ezard 1997).
- Typology
- SVO.
- Language Use
- All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Dobu [dob] (Ezard 1997). Also use English [eng] (Ezard 1997). Also use Hiri Motu [hmo] (Ezard 1997). Also use Suau [swp] (Ezard 1997). Also use Wedau [wed] (Ezard 1997). Used as L2 by ’Auhelawa [kud], Buhutu [bxh], Bwanabwana [tte], Haigwai [hgw], Maiwala [mum], Oya’oya [oyy], Taupota [tpa], Wa’ema [wag], Wagawaga [wgb], Yaleba [ylb].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L1: 50%–75%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Grammar. NT: 1985.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Tawala
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
Also Spoken in
Map
Location: Milne Bay province: Alotau district, Awaiama to East Cape, Milne Bay north and south shores, Basilaki and Sideia islands.
Size and Vitality
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