Masep
[aka Massep, Wotaf, Potafa]Classification: Isolate
·severely endangered
Classification: Isolate
·severely endangered
Massep, Wotaf, Potafa |
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Isolate, Pacific |
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ISO 639-3 |
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mvs |
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Information from: “Australia and the Pacific” (424-557) . Stephen A Wurm (2007) Routledge
Isirawa
Samarokena
Indonesian
No literacy in it.
Spoken east of the mouth of the Apauwar River which is east of the mouth of the large Mamberamo River in the far west of the north coast of Irian Jaya, east of the eastern top end of Cenderawasih Bay.
Information from: “Survey Report of the North Coast of Irian Jaya” . Clouse, Duane; Mark Donohue; and Felix Ma (2002) SIL International
"The Masep language, which in the vernacular is called Wotaf, is only spoken in the village of Masep by under fifty speakers."
Irianese Malay
"The Masep have made attempts to write their language and said that they do write letters to each other. They are vaguely aware of the SIL vernacular language work in Isirawa but did not express an opinion on that work. Although they expressed a desire to see vernacular education for their children, they did not indicate an overt willingness to see it happen."
"Masep village can be reached by outrigger canoe from Sarmi in about four hours. It can also be reached by foot from Sarmi in a full day of very hard walking (and crossing rivers) with no rests. As boats do not often frequent Masep village, the people usually walk if they wish to go to Sarmi."