Gumawana

GVS

developing

Alternate Names: Domdom, Gumasi, Gumasila

Dialects: Gumawana, Kotoita, Nubogeta. Lexical similarity: 48% with Galeya ,, 47% with Dobu , (most similar).

Genealogy:

Austronesian
Malayo-Polynesian
Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian
Eastern Malayo-Polynesian
Oceanic
Western Oceanic
Papuan Tip
Nuclear
North Papuan Mainland-D’Entrecasteaux
Gumawana

Demographics: 470 (2000 census), increasing. 50 monolinguals.

Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Negative attitudes. Also use Boselewa [bwf], Dobu [dob], Galeya [gar], Kilivila [kij], Maiadomu [mzz].

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 90%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%. Tend not to read Gumawana or Dobu but increase in English use and literacy. Poetry. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1992–1999.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Papua New Guinea

Other Comments: Christian.