Jita

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
jit
Alternate Names
Ecijiita, Ecijita, Kijita
Autonym
Echijita
User Population

365,000 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009), increasing.

Location

Mara region: Bunda and Musoma rural districts; possibly Mwanza region.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Haya-Jita (E.25)
Dialects

None known. Lexical similarity: 78% with Kwaya [kya], 88% with Ruri [kya], 81% with Kara [reg], 62% with Kerewe [ked].

Typology

SVO, 5-vowel system, contrasted long and short vowels, H-L Lexical tone on verbs and nouns, H-L grammatical tone.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, local gatherings. Preferred language unless speakers of other languages are present. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Used as L2 by Kara [reg], Kerewe [ked].

Language Development

Literature. Dictionary. NT: 1943–1960.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Jita
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.