Information from: “Personal Communication on Ratsua” . Bill Palmer
DOMAINS OF USE
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SPEAKER NUMBER TRENDS
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TRANSMISSION
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- MORE ON VITALITY
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Assumed to be similar to the situation of neighboring Hahon, where all age groups use the language, but the knowledge of the language of younger generations shows greater influence from Tok Pisin. Speaker numbers may not be declining, but the language is undergoing marked change due to contact with Tok Pisin. Consultant felt that the language is not strong.
- OTHER LANGUAGES USED BY THE COMMUNITY
- LANGUAGE CONTEXT COMMENTS
Intermarriage has brought many speakers of other languages into the community, particularly speakers of Selau and Tok Pisin. Ratsua speakers will use Selau when interacting with speakers of that language. Although Hahon and Ratsua are very closely related, speakers of these languages were observed to interact in Tok Pisin. However, the presence of the researcher may have influenced this choice.