Hozo
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A language of Ethiopia
Oromia region: West Wollega zone, Babo Gambel, Begi, K’ondala, and Manasibu districts.
7 (Shifting).
No dialects known. Although some sources may list ‘Hozo; and ‘Shulyo’ as dialects, they may be ethnic rather than linguistic designations (2020 S. Küspert-Rakotondrainy). Closely related to Seze [sze] (Küspert 2015).
SOV; sibilant harmony in roots; case-marking: apparently both Nominative and Accusative are marked (further research needed); rich verb morphology with aspect and tense; three different copulas; converbs; causative, passive and benefactive verb derivation morphemes; 22 consonants and 5 vowels (short and long, status of ə unclear); tonal (2 levels), tone distinguishes word classes; quintesimal-vingtesimal numeral system, giving way to Oromo forms.
Home. Adults only. Shifting to West Central Oromo [gaz], especially as education contributes to increased assimilation to Oromo, encouraged by local government (Küspert 2015). Also use Amharic [amh]. Also use Seze [sze], especially in areas where speakers of Hozo live intermixed with speakers of Seze [sze]. Frequent intermarriage between speakers of Hozo and Seze. Also use Standard Arabic [arb], with restricted use. Used as L2 by Seze [sze].
Literacy rate in L2: 5%. Grammar.
Muslim.