Aari

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
aiw
Alternate Names
Aarai, Ara, Ari, Aro, “Shankilla” (pej.), “Shankilligna” (pej.), “Shankillinya” (pej.)
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.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Aari
Writing
Ethiopic script. Latin script.
Other Comments

Patrilineal. Traditional religion, Christian.