Afar

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A language of Ethiopia

Location

Afar, Amhara, and Somali regions: eastern lowlands.

Also spoken in:

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Djibouti

Language NameAfar

User Population

196,000 in Djibouti (2018). Ethnic population: 335,000 (2017).

Location

Ali Sabieh region: southwest of regional capital; Arta region: southwest of Ghoubet Kharab; Dikhil, Obock, and Tadjoura regions; Red Sea coast.

Alternate Names

Afaraf, Qafar, Qafar af, Qafaraf, ʿAfár af, “Danakil” (pej.)

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: Below 1%.

Other Comments

Called ‘Danakil’ by others, but this is considered offensive. Nomadic. Muslim.

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Eritrea

Language NameAfar

User Population

505,000 in Eritrea (2020), increasing.

Location

Northern Red Sea and Southern Red Sea regions.

Alternate Names

Afaraf, Qafar, Qafar af, Qafaraf, ʿAfár af, “Danakil” (pej.), “Denkel” (pej.)

Dialects

Central Afar, Northern Afar, Aussa, Ba’adu.

Language Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Home, journalism, local administration. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Arabic [ara]. Used as L2 by Dahalik [dlk], Saho [ssy].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 8%. Taught in primary schools.

Other Comments

Nomadic. Muslim.

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Afar

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A language of Ethiopia

Also spoken in:

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