Temi

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
soz
Alternate Names
Batem, Kisonjo, Kitemi, Sonjo, Sonyo, Wasonjo, Watemi
Autonym
GiTemi
User Population

24,600 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009). Ethnic population: 30,000.

Location

Arusha region: Ngorongoro district, north central near Kenya border, Maasai area. 7 villages: Digodigo, Kisangiro, Mdito, Mugholo, Oldonyo Sambu, Sale, and Samunga.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Temi (E.46)
Dialects

None known. Reportedly shows similarities to Gikuyu [kik] of Kenya.

Typology

SVO, 15 noun classes, question word final, maximum prefixes 3, maximum suffixes 2, no gender affixes, active and passive suffixes, 17 consonant phonemes; 7 vowel phonemes; non-tonal.

Language Use

Home, market, village. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Swahili [swh]. Swahili used in education.

Language Development

Prevalence of Swahili literacy leads to low interest in L1 literacy. Literature. Bible portions: 2007–2012.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Temi
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion.