If an Indonesian learns a foreign language such as English, then you who are not an Indonesian learn a foreign language such as Indonesian. Just like you learn West Papua language indigenous. If you want to learn the West Papua language indigenous, it’s a good idea to first understand what languages are there. Come on, see!
Like the West Papuan language
The following are some of the languages used by some residents in West Papua Province, especially those who live in the Raja Ampat Regency.
- Ma’ya language, which is the language used by the Wawiyai ethnic community, the Laganyan ethnic group, and the Kawe ethnic group. They use one language consisting of several dialects, namely the Wawiyai, Kawe, and Laganyan dialects.
- Ambel language, which is the language used by residents who inhabit several villages east of Mayalibit Bay, such as Kalitoko, Warsamdin, Wairemak, Kabilol, Go, and Waifoi as well as Kapadir and Kabare in North Waigeo.
- Batanta language, used by the people who inhabit the south of Batanta Island, namely the residents of Wailebet Village and Yenanas Village.
- Tepin language, used by residents in the north to the east of Salawati Island, namely residents in Kalyam, Samate, Solol, and Kapatlap villages. This language has several dialects, namely the Kalyam Solol, Samate, and Kapatlap dialects.
- Moi language, which is the language used by residents in Kalobo Village, Sakabu, and parts of Samate Village. The Moi language spoken in Salawati is a dialect of the Moi language originating from the mainland west of the Bird’s Head region, which is directly adjacent to the Sale Strait.
- Matbat language, spoken by the indigenous people of Misool Island. The native speakers of this language are scattered in the villages of Salafen, Atkari, Lenmalas, Folley, Kapatcool, Tomolol, Magey, and Aduwei.
- Misool language, this term is given by the Misool people who speak Misool themselves. Misool people who use the Misool language are generally those who are Muslim. This language is also used by several Islamic villages in Salawati, such as Samate and Sailolof.
- Biga language is one of the migration languages located in the southeast of Misool Island. This language is used by residents who live in Kampung Biga, on the banks of the Biga River. This population as well as the language are thought to have come and migrated from Waigeo Island, namely from Kabilol Village, which speaks Ambel.
- The Biak Language in the Raja Ampat district is a language that migrated from Biak Island and Numfor along with the spread of the Biak people to Raja Ampat. The Biak language consists of several dialects, namely Biak Beteu, Biak Usba, Biak Wardo, Biak Numfor, and Biak Kafdaron.
- Other languages. Besides you learn the West Papua language indigenous, with the flow of population migration from the Maluku Islands and other western regions, there are also several languages spoken by the immigrant population in Raja Ampat, such as Javanese, Seram, Ternate, Tobelo, Butonese, and Bugis.
The Key to Learning Papuan Dialects
There is no significant change in the grammar of the Papuan language. At first glance, it is very similar to Indonesian. This is usually used by newcomers to Papua.
Even so, you may find it difficult the first time. Especially if you don’t know the key to speaking that language. There are specific criteria that should be understood.
Most of the words spoken by the Papuan people are abbreviated. It’s so commonplace that a few sentences can mean much longer. For example, the word Sa is an abbreviation for my word.
Well, if you are interested in speaking the Papuan dialect, you should remember the following things.
- The possessive pronoun is separate from the subject, usually spoken before the possessive pronoun
- The word usually replaces the word Lah, usually for the command word
- The suffixes e and ee replace the affix yah and are usually used at the end of a sentence
- The words to and anyway are usually used at the end of a sentence to emphasize a statement
- The word Kah is used to complete a sentence, it is located at the end of the sentence
- The word ‘new’ is usually used to emphasize a sentence
Those are the explanations for you to learn the West Papua language indigenous. Learn the language well to communicate well! Good luck!
