Aer

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A language of Pakistan

ISO 639-3
aeq
User Population

100 (1998). Women monolingual. Ethnic population: 330 Aer in Deh area.

Location

Sindh province: Jikrio Goth near Kunri; Deh area, Hyderabad, Jamesabad.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Gujarati
Dialects

Jikrio Goth Aer, Jamesabad Aer. Lexical similarity: 78% with Katai Meghwar and Kachi Bhil—both dialects of Kachi Koli [gjk], 75%–77% with the Rabari dialect of Kachi Koli [gjk], 76% with Kachi Koli [gjk].

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Also use Gujarati [guj]. Also use Saraiki [skr]. Also use Sindhi [snd], especially adult men for common topics. 100% of boys and 25% of girls attend Sindhi medium schools. Also use Western Punjabi [pnb], especially adult men of Jikrio Goth, but only for common topics.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 15% in Sindhi [snd].

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Aer
Writing

Unwritten [Qaax].

Other Comments

Unusual interrogative word suggests possible historical connection with Western Rajasthani group. Speakers in Pakistan running out of marriage possibilities and may have to move to India. The Indian group is most influential. Other Aer people in Nawabshah, Sindh reportedly speak a different language, dress differently, and do not intermarry with this group. Hindu.