Tawala

TBO

developing

Alternate Names: Tavara, Tawara

Dialects: Awayama (Awaiama, Awalama), Bohilai (Basilaki, Bohira’i), Diwinai (Divinai), Huhuna, Kehelala (East Cape, Keherara), Labe (Rabe), Lelehudi, Sideya (Sideia), Yaleba (Ealeba, Gwavili, Gwawili, Wagawaga).

Genealogy:

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

Demographics: 20,000 (2000 census).

Language Use: 40% monolingual. Also use Dobu [dob], English [eng], Hiri Motu [hmo], Suau [swp], Wedau [wed]. Used as L2 by Buhutu [bxh], Bwanabwana [tte], Haigwai [hgw], Maiwala [mum], Taupota [tpa], Wa’ema [wag], Wagawaga [wgb].

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 50%–75%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Grammar. NT: 1985.

Typology: SVO.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Papua New Guinea