Dates of estimates?

Print

Dates of estimates?

dusseaux.antoine_289191, Sun, 2023-01-01 03:37
Regarding: 
Population
State
Closed
ISO 639-3: 
tra

?

Editorial Action

We will change the status of Tirahi [tra] in Afghanistan from EGIDS 8b (Nearly Extinct) to 9 (Dormant), to be included in the next edition of the Ethnologue.

Comments

Chuck Fennig, Thu, 2023-01-19 08:58

Dear Antoine,

Having looked everywhere (including the old paper files), I have not been able to trace the source for the supposed 100 speakers of Tirahi [tra] nor the (possibly) 5,000 Tirahis. It is one of those mysteries that was entered into the Ethnologue several decades ago, perhaps predating email (which means letters and personal communication).

So, I will contact a person who may know something about Tirahi and see if we can get some results, hopefully updates.

Best wishes,

Chuck Fennig
Managing Editor, Ethnologue

Chuck Fennig, Mon, 2023-01-23 09:12

Dear Antoine,

I have contacted this person, and there is evidence that there are no longer any speakers of this language, and - indeed - there is a question as to whether Tirahi was ever a distinct language.

We will change the population to 0 (zero) and change the EGIDS to 9 (dormant). When - and if - there is evidence that this language never existed (ie. no ethnolinguistic identity associated with an ethnic group), we will change the EGIDS to 10, awaiting an ISO change request that retires the code completely.

Best wishes,

Chuck Fennig
Managing Editor, Ethnologue

Add new comment

View the Discussion