Language Information by Source

Personal Communication on Ulwa

Personal Communication on Ulwa

Severely Endangered
100 percent certain, based on the evidence available
600
Native Speakers Worldwide
Speaker Number Trends

Speaker Number Trend 4

Less than half of the community speaks the language, and speaker numbers are decreasing at an accelerated pace.

4
Domains of Use

Domain Of Use 4

Used mainly only in the home and/or with family, and may not be the primary language even in these domains for many community members.

4
Transmission

Transmission 3

Some adults in the community are speakers, but the language is not spoken by children.

3

Speakers

Native or fluent speakers:
No results found.
Second-language speakers and learners
No results found.
Semi-speakers or rememberers
300
Children:
No results found.
Young adults
No results found.
Older adults
No results found.
Elders
No results found.
Ethnic or community population
1,800
Year information was gathered
No results found.
Comments on speakers
There are no monolingual Ulwa-speakers, as everyone also speaks Tok Pisin. A few speakers (especially in Manu village) also know Ap Ma, and a few speakers (especially in Maruat, Dimiri, and Yaul villages) also know Biwat.

Location and Context

Countries
Papua New Guinea
Location Description

Four villages in Angoram District, East Sepik Province: Manu, Maruat, Dimiri, and Yaul.

Government Support
none
Institutional Support
none
Speakers' Attitude
Speakers view the language positively. There is a growing concern for its preservation and revitalization, as many are disappointed by the decline in use among children.
Other Languages Used By The Community
Tok Pisin [tpi], Ap Ma (Botin) [kbx], Biwat (Munduguma) [bwm]
Number of Other Language Speakers:
All speak Tok Pisin.
Domains of Other Languages:
Church, school, government, community announcments, trade with other villages

Writing Systems

Standard orthography:
No results found.
Writing system:
none
Other writing systems used:
No results text.
Comments on writing systems:
Community members are interested in developing a Latin-based orthography to write the Ulwa language.

Recent Resources

Community Members