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via Papua New Guinea
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Please note -- Whilst all care has been taken in preparing and maintaining the FAQ's about Papua New Guinea it is not possible to be able verify every answer. The information is provided 'as is' and I can not accept responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from the use of this information.
Please verify the information for yourself from a government source, travel agent or other similar organisation.
This database does not contain information about other countries. It is only about Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Language List of Categories
PNG is home to over 830 languages. With such a wide-range of languages there is no way these FAQ's could answer all questions about the languages in Papua New Guinea.
font size="-2">If you know an answer to a language FAQ and would like to see it here please let me know.
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- Where can I find a sample of the benabena language?
- Where is the Kuman language from?
- What is your name in Motu?
- why? aeroplanes are called Balus in New Guinea
- I hear the Tolai people say Boina Malana. What does it mean?
- Where can I find out about PNG Languages?
- What are the main languages spoken in PNG?
- Are there any endangered languages in PNG?
- How many languages have been lost or could be considered to be dying out in PNG?
- What does it mean to say a language is endangered?
- How many languages are spoken in PNG?
- What is the literacy rate for PNG people over the age of 15?
- What is the general literacy rate in PNG?
- What is tokples?
- What is SIL?
- Where can I find information about Tok Pisin / Neo Melanesian?
- Where can I find the Freedom Declaration in Tok Pisin?
- Where can I find a tok pisin / neo melanesian / pidgin dictionary on the Internet?
- What is or who is a Wantok?
- Where can I find the Lord's Prayer in Motu?
- After being named Enga by a great grandfather from P.N.G, I wonder what the meaning of the name is, if there is any?
- How do you say "Papua New Guinea" in Hiri Motu?
- I would like to know the language that is spoken by the Ganiga tribe. Ref.the documentary Black Harvest. Joe Leahy Thanks,
Emmett
- To have a teacher to learn something of the MOTU language. Thanks
- Where can i buy a cd or tape on learning Hiri Motu?
- Is a Kuana or Tolai dictionary available anywhere?
- I know that there has already been put a website for a dictionary in Pidgin, but somebody mentioned to me about a Jekarta Melanesian Dictionary or Jacarasan Melanesian Dictionary. Is there any information that I would know where to pick one up or even just find out information? Thank You
- Where can I find information on Motu?
- What are the main languages spoken in Central Province?
- What are the main languages spoken in Chimbu (Simbu) Province?
- What are the main languages spoken in East New Britain Province?
- What is the main language of the Gazelle Peninsula? (East New Britain)
- What are the main languages spoken in East Sepik Province?
- How many languages are found in the Sepik region?
- What are the main languages spoken in Eastern Highlands Province?
- What is the Enga language word for dance?
- What are the main languages spoken in Enga Province?
- What are the main languages spoken in Gulf Province?
- What are the main languages spoken in Madang Province?
- What are the main languages spoken in Milne Bay?
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- Where can I find a sample of the benabena language?
Sorry I can not help with this question, Try the SIL web site.
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- Where is the Kuman language from?
Kuman is the third largest language group in PNG, with approx 120,000 speakers. It is from Simbu province.
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- What is your name in Motu?
Sorry I am unable to answer that.
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- why? aeroplanes are called Balus in New Guinea
Balus is the Tok Pisin word for aeroplane. (airplane)
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- I hear the Tolai people say Boina Malana. What does it mean?
This is a good couple of words to remember if you are travelling to Rabaul or know some Tolai's. It means "Good Morning" in the kuanua language.
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- Where can I find out about PNG Languages?
One of the best sites to visit is http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/PNG/topics/Language.htm. I also recommend a trip to http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Papua+New+Guinea another place to look is the Rosetta Project
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- What are the main languages spoken in PNG?
English, Tok Pisin (neo melanesian / pidgin english) and Motu are the three official languages spoken in PNG. They are used in Parliament although it would seem that the majority of parlimentary members speak Tok Pisin followed by English then Motu in last place.
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- Are there any endangered languages in PNG?
Yes, several languages are considered endangered and some have already disappeared.
Try visiting http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/PNG/topics/Language.htm.
I also recommend a trip to http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Papua+New+Guinea for further information.
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- How many languages have been lost or could be considered to be dying out in PNG?
Try and see the info stored on the following web page. It lists some of the languages that are dying / endangered or have been lost already.
http://michie.net/pnginfo/lostlanguages.html
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- What does it mean to say a language is endangered?
An endangered language is one that is likely to become extinct in the near future. Many languages are falling out of use and being replaced by others that are more widely used in the region or nation, such as English in the U.S. or Spanish in Mexico. Unless current trends are reversed, these endangered languages will become extinct within the next century. Many other languages are no longer being learned by new generations of children or by new adult speakers; these languages will become extinct when their last speaker dies. In fact, dozens of languages today have only one native speaker still living, and that person's death will mean the extinction of the language: It will no longer be spoken, or known, by anyone.
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- How many languages are spoken in PNG?
There are over 800 languages in PNG (This represents about one third of the world's indigenous languages) Some people even say this figure is now 832 languages nine of which are now extinct.
see also -- http://pnglanguages.org
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- What is the literacy rate for PNG people over the age of 15?
It is estimated that 72% of the PNG population aged 15 or over can read and write.
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- What is the general literacy rate in PNG?
Transparency International chief Sir Anthony Siaguru said on Friday the 6th of September 2002 that 44 per cent of Papua New Guineans were illiterate, and only 56 per cent could read. Of these, perhaps only half were fully and functionally literate.
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- What is tokples?
"Tokples" or local language is a statement about the land itself held by the speakers of that language. Language is important not simply as a means of communication, but also as a signifier of group identity and of place.
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- What is SIL?
SIL is the Summer Institute of Linguistics based at Ukarrumpa in the Eastern Highlands. http://www.sil.org/pacific/png/.
There is also a page located at http://michie.net/pnginfo/sil.html that has some info about what SIL does in PNG.
see also -- http://pnglanguages.org
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- Where can I find information about Tok Pisin / Neo Melanesian?
Try http://pnggossip.com/news or
http://www.powerup.com.au/~billpurc/tokpisin.htm
http://www.pngbd.com/dictionary.php (Pidgin and Motu)
http://www.4himnet.com/engelhardts/png/melanesi.htm
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- Where can I find the Freedom Declaration in Tok Pisin?
Try http://www.language-museum.com/t/tok-pisin.htm
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- Where can I find a tok pisin / neo melanesian / pidgin dictionary on the Internet?
http://www.june29.com/HLP/lang/pidgin.html.
You can also look up many words at http://www.pngbd.com/dictionary.php
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- What is or who is a Wantok?
Identity is still defined in terms of one's own kin, or wantoks, rather than by nationality, an introduced and unfamiliar notion. Wantok comes from Tok Pisin, "one talk", a person who speaks your language. It is no surprise that with over eight-hundred-and-thirty wantok identities it is difficult to find a true unity of all people in PNG.
This diversity is one reason why nationalism is largely a foreign concept in PNG.
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- Where can I find the Lord's Prayer in Motu?
Try http://www.language-museum.com/m/motu.htm
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- After being named Enga by a great grandfather from P.N.G, I wonder what the meaning of the name is, if there is any?
Sorry, I do not have that information. Perhaps a reader may be able to help you?
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- How do you say "Papua New Guinea" in Hiri Motu?
Its PAPUA NIU GINI
I hope that helped. Not much difference ... just the way the Motuans pronounce it.
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- I would like to know the language that is spoken by the Ganiga tribe. Ref.the documentary Black Harvest. Joe Leahy Thanks,
Emmett
Can anyone help?
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- To have a teacher to learn something of the MOTU language. Thanks
Please let me know where are you located in the world?
It may be easier to find a "Tok Pisin" speaker than someone that knows Motu.
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- Where can i buy a cd or tape on learning Hiri Motu?
I am unaware of any Hiri Motu learning tapes. I will ask around but don't hold your breath.
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- Is a Kuana or Tolai dictionary available anywhere?
I have asked several Tolai friends and they have not been able to come up with a definite "yes" as an answer.
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- I know that there has already been put a website for a dictionary in Pidgin, but somebody mentioned to me about a Jekarta Melanesian Dictionary or Jacarasan Melanesian Dictionary. Is there any information that I would know where to pick one up or even just find out information? Thank You
This will probably be the Jacaranda dictionary and grammar of Melanesian Pidgin.
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- Where can I find information on Motu?
Try http://www.pngbd.com/dictionary.php (Motu and Pidgin)
http://arabiatimes.tripod.com/motu.htm
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- What are the main languages spoken in Central Province?
The main languages by districts are :-
Abau - Magi, Keapara, Daga, Sona.
Goilala - Fuyuge, Taude, Kunimaipa.
Hiri - Motu, Koiari, Koita.
Kairuku - Roro, Nara, Mekeo, Kuni.
Rigo - Sinagoro, Keapara, Maria.
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- What are the main languages spoken in Chimbu (Simbu) Province?
The main languages by districts are :-
Chuave - Elimbari, Chuave, Siane-Komunku, Lambau
Gembogl - (Kuman, Nagane)
Gumine - Golin, Salt-Yui, Yuri, Kia, Keri, Era, Nomane
Karimui - Mikaru Daribi, Pawaia, Bomai
Kerowagi - Kuman, Kombugl
Kundiawa - Kuman, Dom, Naur, Narku, Nongumugl
Sinasina - Tabare, Guna
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- What are the main languages spoken in East New Britain Province?
The main languages by districts are :-
Kokopo; Kuanua, Baining
Pomio; Mengen, Mamusi, Kol, Baining
Rabaul; Kuanua, Duke of York, Baining
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- What is the main language of the Gazelle Peninsula? (East New Britain)
Kuana spoken by the Tolais is the main language of the Gazelle Peninsula.
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- What are the main languages spoken in East Sepik Province?
The main languages by districts are :-
Ambunti - Iwam, Kwoma, Manambu, Chambri.
Angoram - Iatmul, Angorarn, Kambot, Banaro.
Maprik - Abelam, (Abulas), Kwanga Southern Arapesh.
Wewak - Boiken, Sawos, Mountain Arapesh, Kairiru.
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- How many languages are found in the Sepik region?
The Sepik basin has the distinction of being perhaps the most linguistically diverse area in the world, with nearly 300 languages (six times the languages of Europe) in an area the size of Austria.
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- What are the main languages spoken in Eastern Highlands Province?
The main languages by districts are :-
Goroka; Gahuku-Asaro, Benabena, Siane
Henganofi; Kamano
Kainantu; Gadsup, Agarabi, Tairora
Lufa; Kamano-Yagaria, Gimi
Marawaka; Baruya, Sirnbari, Yagwoia
Okapa; Fore, Gimi, Auyana
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- What is the Enga language word for dance?
It is Mali.
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- What are the main languages spoken in Enga Province?
The main languages by districts are :-
Kandep; Enga (Kandepe), Katinjav Kompiam; Enga (Sau, Kopona), Wapi, Lembena
Lagaip; Enga (Tayato, Yandapo), Nete
Porgera; Ipili, Hewa
Wabag; Enga (Mai, Kaina, Malamuni)
Wapenamanda; Enga (Layapo, Kopona)
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- What are the main languages spoken in Gulf Province?
The main languages by districts are :-
Baimuru - Purari, Pawaia.
Ihu - Orokolo, Keuru.
Kaintiba - Hamtai Kaintiba.
Kerema - Uaripi.
Kikori - North-eastern Kiwai, Kerewo, Podope, Porome.
Malalaua - Toaripi, Hamtai Pmasa'a.
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- What are the main languages spoken in Madang Province?
The main languages by districts are :-
Bogia; Manam, Mikarew, Katiati, Tangu, Tani
Karkar; Takia, Waskia
Madang; Amele, Gedaged, Mugil, Garuh, Garusv Middle Ramu; Kalam, Rao, Kobon, Maring
Rai Coast; Nahu, Rawa, Mebu, Nankina
Upper Ramu; Gende, Girawa, Rawa, Sumau
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- What are the main languages spoken in Milne Bay?
The main languages by districts are :-
Alotau - Kehelala, Taupota, Tavara, Bohutu, Wagawaga.
Bolubolu - Iduna, Bwaidoka.
Esa'ala - Dobu, Duau, Molima.
Losuia - Kilivila, Muyuw.
Misima - Misima, Yele, Sud-est.
Rabaraba - Gwedena, Dawawa, Gapapaiwa, Maiwa, Wedau.
Samarai - Suau, Kehelala, Tubetube.
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Please note that this is not "Ask Jeeves" - you cannot type a whole sentence as your query. Enter a word, a phrase, or several words and press search.
Please remember that this is a FAQ database about Papua New Guinea.
Doing a search for PNG or New Guinea or even P.N.G will probably not return much. Keep the search simple. i.e. if you want to find out the population simply enter "population" without the quotes. There is no need to have PNG / P.N.G or whatever in the search string.
Also - Spelling is important searching for 'inkom' will not return items related to 'income'
Created 1 May 2002
Updated 21 Jun 2008
Updated 21 Jun 2008
PNG FAQ's ©1998 - 2009 Trevor Michie