Aari

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
aiw
Alternate Names
Aarai, Ara, Ari, Aro, “Shankilla” , “Shankilligna” , “Shankillinya”
Population

235,000 (2007). 129,000 monolinguals.

Location

Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Central North Omo zone, south tip of Ethiopia plateau, near the Hamer-Banna [amf] language area.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, South
Dialects

Bako (Baco), Biyo (Bio), Laydo, Seyki, Shangama, Sido, Wubahamer (Ubamer), Zeddo. Most similar to Gayil [gyl].

Typology

SOV

Language Use

13,300 L2 users. Home, market. Also use Amharic [amh] or Wolaytta [wal].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 8%. NT: 1997.
Writing
Ethiopic script. Latin script.
Other Comments

Patrilineal. Traditional religion, Christian.