Urat

URT

threatened

Dialects: Wasep Ngau (North Urat), Wasep Yam (South Urat), Wusyep Tep (East Urat), Wusyep Yihre (Central Urat).

Genealogy:

Torricelli
Wapei-Palei
Urat

Demographics: 6,280 (2003 SIL), decreasing. 2,480 in Wasep Ngau, 2,060 in Wusyep Yihre, 1,210 in Wasep Yam, and 550 in Wusyep Tep.

Language Use: Children understand; youth rarely speak Urat. All domains for the elderly. All age groups: to hide comments from outsiders, e.g. in disputes or accusations. Mainly adults. Neutral attitudes. 6,000 also use Tok Pisin [tpi].

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 40%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50% Tok Pisin. Poetry. Bible portions: 1993.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Papua New Guinea

Other Comments: Christian.