Alternate Names: Hiri, Pidgin Motu, Police Motu
Dialects: Austronesian Hiri Motu, Papuan Hiri Motu. Linguistically a pidginization of Motu ,. Influenced by English ,, Tok Pisin ,, and Polynesian languages. Cannot understand Motu due to phonological and grammatical differences. Lexical similarity: 90% with Motu ,.
Status Notes: Used long before European contact by participants in the Hiri trade cycle between the Motu people and their neighbors on the south east coast of the island of New Guinea. Since about 1970 the use of Hiri Motu as a lingua franca has been declining in favor of English , and Tok Pisin ,; speakers are mostly older adults and concentrated in Central Province and Gulf Province.
Genealogy:
Demographics: Very few L1 speakers (1992 T. Dutton). L2 users: 120,000 (1989 J. Holm).
Language Use: Used as L2 by Abadi [kbt], Aneme Wake [aby], Bariji [bjc], Baruga [bjz], Bauwaki [bwk], Binahari [bxz], Buhutu [bxh], Dawawa [dww], Dibiyaso [dby], Dima [jma], Dobu [dob], Domu [dof], Doromu-Koki [kqc], Ese [mcq], Fuyug [fuy], Grass Koiari [kbk], Gweda [grw], Haigwai [hgw], Humene [huf], Kakabai [kqf], Kaki Ae [tbd], Kaninuwa [wat], Koitabu [kqi], Korafe-Yegha [kpr], Lala [nrz], Magori [zgr], Maiwa [mti], Maiwala [mum], Miniafia Oyan [aai], Moikodi [mkp], Morawa [mze], Mountain Koiali [kpx], Mubami [tsx], Nawaru [nwr], Ninggerum [nxr], Ömie [aom], Orokaiva [okv], Samo [smq], Sinaugoro [snc], Suki [sui], Tairuma [uar], Tawala [tbo], Turumsa [tqm], Uare [ksj], Wa’ema [wag], Wagawaga [wgb], Yareba [yrb].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Below 5%. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1994.
Writing System: Braille, Latin
Nation of Origin: Papua New Guinea
Other Comments: The Papuan dialect was adopted as the standard for official publications.