Tawala

Introduction

Tawala is a language of Papua New Guinea. It is spoken in Milne Bay Province, Alotau district, Awaiama to East Cape, Milne Bay north and south shores, Sideia and Basilaki islands.

Dialects

Awayama (Awaiama, Awalama), Bohilai (Basilaki, Bohira’i), Diwinai (Divinai), Huhuna, Kehelala (East Cape, Keherara), Labe (Rabe), Lelehudi, Sideya (Sideia), Yaleba (Ealeba, Gwavili, Gwawili, Wagawaga).

The Tawala Verb

Verblist

• (wi)nama -- to laugh
• agohiweyana -- to breathe
• alahi -- to burn
• am -- to eat
• ani -- to chew
• bui -- to turn
• danene -- to steal
• dewa -- to work
• dididi -- to flow
• eno -- to lie down
• eno -- to sleep
• gale -- to see
• geini, omgeina -- to climb
• gimala -- to buy
• hahana -- to swell
• hala -- to dig
• halo -- to hunt
• hanalema -- to suck
• hapi -- to cut, hack
• hilage -- to die, be dead
• hilama -- to sew
• hiyawa -- to count
• hiyo -- to fear
• hoe -- to open, uncover
• howa -- to spit
• huwe -- to blow
• kila -- to scratch
• kwapu -- to hit
• lata -- to grow
• launi -- to shoot
• lauyagohana -- to live, be alive
• luboni -- to dream
• luduli -- to tie up, fasten
• lugowadeya -- to hide
• luhaya -- to split
• lumowa -- to yawn
• lunagili -- to stab, pierce
• lupa -- to fly
• meda -- to vomit
• nae -- to walk
• nei -- to come
• nonola -- to hear
• nugohi -- to plant
• nugotuhu -- to think
• ombuyobuyo -- to squeeze
• pa -- to say
• peu -- to fall
• pihaga -- to pound, beat
• puguna -- to sniff, smell
• tou -- to cry
• towolo -- to stand
• tuba -- to swim
• tugula -- to sit
• ulona -- to cook
• uma -- to drink
• una -- to bite
• wihulu -- to throw
• wilawihi -- to kill
• winagana -- to choose
• wogo -- to hold