Sibe

NCO

developing

Alternate Names: Nagovisi, Sibbe, Sibe-Nagovisi

Dialects: Laagasi’, Teleipi, Tobe’laaki’, To’mau, Welipe’.

Genealogy:

South Bougainville
Nasioi

Demographics: 6,000 (2011 SIL), increasing. 100 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 15,000. L2 users: Outsiders who intermarry with Sibe speakers.

Language Use: All ages.

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: more than 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Literacy stopped, but revival plans exist. Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. Bible portions: 1984.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Papua New Guinea

Other Comments: Moderate acculturation. Christian.