Argobba

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
agj
Population

43,700 (2007 census). 100 monolinguals.

Location

Northeast, Amhara, Oromiya, and Afar regions; Rift Valley in Yimlawo, Gusa, Shonke, Berehet, Khayr Amba, Melkajillo, Metehara, and Shewa Robit villages area.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Transversal, Amharic-Argobba
Dialects

Aliyu Amba-Ankober, Shagura, Shonke-T’allaha. The, purest, Argobba is spoken in Shonke and T’allaha. Lexical similarity: with Amharic [amh] 74%–83% with Amba-Ankober and Shagura dialects south, 53% with Shonke-T’allaha north.

Language Use

3,236 L2 speakers. The ethnic group near Ankober mainly speaks Amharic [amh]; the group near Harar mainly speaks Oromo [hae]. Children in Shonke-T’allaha area learn Argobba; in other areas, used only by older people. Positive attitudes. Also use Amharic [amh] or Oromo [orm].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 16% in Amharic.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Argobba
Writing
Unwritten.
Other Comments

Muslim.