Bierebo
[aka Bonkovia-Yevali,]Classification: Austronesian
·threatened
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Threatened
100 percent certain, based on the evidence available
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900-1,000
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Estimated 900 – 1000 people speak Bierebo as a first language. There are a handful of language learners – e.g. some women marrying into Bierebo-speaking communities. There are 26 speakers of the Yakana variety, and only 2 elderly speakers of the Yana variety. All speakers of Yakana and Yana also speak Yaningi. The Bonkovio variety has roughly 465 speakers; Ruwo, about 90 speakers; Yopuna, 61 speakers; Yaningi, 121 speakers (including speakers of Yana and Yakana); and Malvasi, about 170 speakers.
- DATE OF INFO
- 2006-2007
- 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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A wide range of age groups use the language, with the exception of the moribund varieties Yakana (youngest speaker in mid-thirties in 2006) and Yana. Speaker numbers probably not in decline overall and perhaps even a very slow increase. The picture varies village to village according to demographics. Exogamous marriage is practised and non-Bierebo-speaking women marrying into communities often raise children in Bislama. In smaller villages whose populations are made up of, say, three or four main families this can have a significant impact. This situation is probably counterbalanced by the high birth rate and rising populations in the larger communities where most children continue to learn Bierebo as their first language. 80-90%% of children learn Bierebo as a mother tongue in the home and village.
- OTHER LANGUAGES USED BY THE COMMUNITY
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Bislama
- LANGUAGE CONTEXT COMMENTS
Bierebo is used in the home and in the village e.g. including in chiefs’ meetings, church meetings, traditional ceremonies, local court cases. Bislama used as a regional lingua franca, in church services, and in home/village by non-Bierebo speakers. English/French used in education.
- PLACES
- Vanuatu
- LOCATION DESCRIPTION
The Bonkovio variety is spoken in the following villages: Bonkovio, also known as Bonga Bay or Pasis; Chavinu, also known as Point or Paen; Foreland; Brisbane, also known as Komerana; and Chumasumwe and Kundute. The Ruwo variety is spoken in Brisbane and Ruwo, also known as Burupika or Niuples. The Yopuna variety is spoken in Yopuna village, and the Malvasi variety is spoken in Malvasi village. Yana, Yakana, and Yaningi are spoken in Lokopui, also known as Tavio.