Ale

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
gwd
Alternate Names
Dabosse, Debase, Dobase, Dullay, Gobeze, Pako Qalatte, Pako ʕalatte, Qawko, Werizoid, ʕale, “Gauwada” (pej.), “Gawata” (pej.), “Gawwada” (pej.), “Gewada” (pej.), “Kawwad’a” (pej.), “Kawwada” (pej.)
Autonym
Qale
User Population

85,670, all users. L1 users: 84,300 (2017). L2 users: 1,370. 27,500 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 68,600 (2007 census).

Location

Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: Segen zone, west of Lake Chamo.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Dullay
Dialects

Tihinte (Dihina), Gargarte (K’ark’arte), Dobase (Gobeze), Golango (Kollanko, Wollango), Gorroze, Harse (Worase). Lexical similarity: 78% with Mositacha [dox], 73% with Tsamai [tsb], 77% with the Harso dialect, 92% with the Gollango dialect, 41% with Konso [kxc]. The Harso dialect has 80% lexical similarity with the Dobase dialect of Mositacha [dox], 56% with Tsamai [tsb].

Typology

SOV; 26 consonants and 5 vowels; vowel gemination; verbs are polysynthetic.

Language Use

Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Amharic [amh]. Also use Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo [gax]. Also use Konso [kxc].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 22%. Taught in primary schools in grades 1–4. Bible portions: 2017.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ale
Writing

Latin script [Latn].