The sociolinguistic profile of the Waube [kop] language

SIL conducted a sociolinguistic survey of the Waube language in the Madang Province of Papua New Guinea, from 27 October through 10 November, 2003. The purpose was to confirm language and dialect boundaries, to determine whether there is need for a language-development programme, and, if needed, to suggest what type of programme would be most appropriate.

In order to do this, the survey team researched various language vitality, the community’s attitude toward the vernacular, educational achievement and opportunities in the Waube area, demographics and social cohesion, and lexical similarity between dialects. Interview responses and lexical comparison indicate that there are two dialects of the Waube language spoken in nine villages and a few settlements.

Though the use of Tok Pisin is increasing among Waube speakers, it looks like they will continue to use the Waube language into the next generation. A language-development programme is recommended though the programme would probably require significant outside assistance.