Alternate Names: Acira, Atsera, Atzera, Azera
Dialects: Amari, Guruf-Ngariawang (Ngariawan), Ngarowapum, Tsumanggorun, Yarus. Related to Sukurum ,, Sarasira ,, Wampur ,, and Mari , (all Upper Markham subfamily).
Genealogy:
Demographics: 30,000 (2000 census). A few monolinguals, among the youngest and oldest. Ethnic population: 31,000.
Language Use: Vigorous despite increased use of Tok Pisin [tpi]. Home, village, church. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Tok Pisin [tpi]. Used as L2 by Sarasira [zsa], Sukurum [zsu], Wampur [waz].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 62% (age 10 and over) literate in at least 1 language, probably Tok Pisin [tpi] (2000 census). Women: 55%; men: 70%. Women and the elderly tend to be least literate. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1976.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Papua New Guinea