Language use of immigrants

to the vitality of the Bosmun language since the teacher was creating and using his own materials in Bosmun. He will no longer be using them.

3.4.3 Language use of immigrants

Table 8 shows the immigrants currently living in the Bosmun communities. Like the Marangis the immigrant population in these communities is actually quite low compared to that of other communities in the area, specifically Awar and Kayan see sections 3.1.3 and 3.2.3, respectively. Table 8. Immigrants in Bosmun Village Name Estimated 2013 population Number of Immigrants Percentage of population Daiden 191 7 3.7 Nemnem 371 9 2.4 Dogan 546 24 4.4 Wamtac 229 10 4.4 Goingbang 2 431 28 6.5 29 Total 1768 78 4.4 Since the immigrant population is so small, their language use and that of their children should have a minimal impact on the overall sociolinguistic situation. However, some insight can be gleaned from their usage. Of all the immigrants in the community, only those whose children had grown and had families of their own knew and used the Bosmun language. They reported that four children were able to mix Bosmun with Tok Pisin, while another 17 could understand Bosmun when spoken to them, but couldn’t respond. There are eight families where the children are fluent in Bosmun. In all eight families the immigrant came from Mbore. I didn’t notice the pattern until Goingbang 2 where I asked an immigrant mother from Mbore about it. She said, “We are Mbore. Mbore know the vernacular of the area.” 30 This is just an exception produced by the view of the Mbore toward language. The majority of immigrant children do not know Bosmun at all. All five communities did not seem concerned that immigrants learn their language. The people of Daiden felt that some would learn eventually. In Nemnem they felt that after a while they would be able to understand Bosmun when it is spoken to them. This was reflected in the speaking patterns of the immigrants themselves. Most are not able to use or understand Bosmun at all, while a few can understand when it is spoken. In Daiden, only two immigrants are considered fluent in Bosmun, and another nine are able to understand it when spoken. The rest use Tok Pisin exclusively.

3.4.4 Contact with urban centers