Kaninuwa | Ethnologue

A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639: wat
Alternate Names: Kaokao, Wataluma
Autonym: Kaninuwa
Population: 600 (2020 SIL). 400 monolinguals (2020 SIL). Ethnic population: 800 (2020 SIL). 100 or so live outside language area.
Location:: Milne Bay province: Sivesive village and 1 other; 2 villages north of Goodenough island.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Western Oceanic, Papuan Tip, Nuclear, North Papuan Mainland-D’Entrecasteaux, Are-Taupota, Are
Dialects: None known. Lexical similarity: 51% with Iduna [viv] (most similar).
Language Use: Vigorous (Kassell 2012). All domains except church. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng] (Kassell 2012). Many also use Bwaidoka [bwd] (Kassell 2012). A few also use Dobu [dob], especially elderly (Kassell 2012). Also use Hiri Motu [hmo]. Also use Iduna [viv].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: High. Highly literate in English. Bible portions: 2015.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Kaninuwa
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian.

Location: Milne Bay province: Sivesive village and 1 other; 2 villages north of Goodenough island.