Dirasha

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
gdl
Alternate Names
Derashe, Dhirasha, Dhiraytata, Dhirayyitta, Dhirayyittaat, Diraasha, Dirashitata, Dirayta, Diraytata, Diraytta, Gardulla, Gedoligna, Ghidole, Gidole
Autonym
Dhirayta
User Population

80,500, all users. L1 users: 73,500 (2007 census). 15,300 Dirasha, 49,900 Gidole, 8,250 Kusumitta (2007 census). L2 users: 7,000. Ethnic population: 92,000 (2020 Local census).

Location

Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: Segen zone, Dirashe district, Gidole town area in hills west of Lake Chamo.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Konso-Gidole
Dialects

Kusumitta (Kusumie). Part of a dialect continuum with Konso [kxc] and Mositacha [dox]. Lexical similarity: 55% with Konso [kxc].

Typology

SOV; verb suffix morphology shows causative, reflexive, subject person, number, gender.

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Neutral attitudes. Also use Amharic [amh]. Also use Eastern Oromo [hae]. Also use Konso [kxc]. Also use Mositacha [dox]. Used as L2 by Mositacha [dox].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: Less than 10%. Church-based literacy classes started in 2006. Taught in some primary schools in grades 1–4. Dictionary. Bible portions: 2007–2013.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Dirasha
Writing

Ethiopic script [Ethi], used since 2007, used in Church literature. Latin script [Latn], official usage.

Other Comments

Christian.