Haruai language

Waibuk
Haruai
Native toPapua New Guinea
RegionMadang Province
Native speakers
2,000 (2000)[1]
Madang – Upper Yuat
Dialects
  • North (Hamil)
  • Central (Mambar)
  • South (Arama)
Language codes
ISO 639-3tmd
Glottologharu1245
ELPHaruai

Haruai (less commonly Harway) is one of two languages of the Piawi family of New Guinea. The language has borrowings from Kalam. Young men are likely to know Kobon and Tok Pisin, but many Haruai are monolingual. Haruai is also commonly known as Waibuk, also Wiyaw, Wovan, Taman.

Dialects are North Waibuk (Hamil), Central Waibuk (Mambar), South Waibuk (Arama); word taboo is practiced but does not impede communication.

  1. ^ Waibuk at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)