Burji

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
bji
Alternate Names
Bambala, Bembala, Daashi, Dhaashatee
Autonym
Burji, ቡረጊ‎ (Burji)
User Population

49,450 in Ethiopia, all users. L1 users: 46,400 in Ethiopia (2007 census). L2 users: 3,050. 29,300 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 71,800 (2007 census). Total users in all countries: 86,350 (as L1: 83,300; as L2: 3,050).

Location

Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: south of Lake Chamo; into Oromia region.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Highland
Dialects

None known. Lexical similarity: 41% with Sidamo [sid] (most similar).

Typology

SOV; passives; middle voice; causatives; subject suffixes distinguish person, number, gender.

Language Use

Some of all ages. Many in Ethiopia are older adults. Also use Amharic [amh].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 29%. Taught as subject in some primary schools in grades 1–4. Offered at Teacher Training College as a major. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1993.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Burji
Writing

Ethiopic script [Ethi]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Christian, Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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