Aja

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A language of Benin

ISO 639-3
ajg
Alternate Names
Adja, Ajagbe, Hwè
Population

360,000 in Benin (2006). Population total all countries: 512,300.

Location

Kouffo Department, southwest on Mono river, Aplahoué, Djakotomè, Dogbo, Klouékanmè, Lalo, and Tovinklin communes; Mono Department, Athiémè, Houéyogbé communes; Zou Department, Djidja and Agbangnizoun communes. Cotonou and many southern mixed-language towns. Also in Togo.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe, Aja
Dialects

Dogbo, Hwe (Ehoue), Sikpi (Shikpi), Tado (Tadou), Tala. The Hwe, Sikpi, and Tado dialects are linguistically very similar; Dogbo and Tala distinct from the other 3. Lexical similarity: 92% with Hwe-Sikpi dialect, 89% with Hwe-Dogbo dialect, Hwe-Tado dialect, and Hwe-Tala dialect.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, neighborhood, work. All ages. Positive attitudes. Many adults also use Gen [gej]. Many children understand Gen, some understand Éwé [ewe]. Some adults use Éwé or French [fra].

Language Development
Poetry. Newspapers. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 2010.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Aja
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Tado and Tala speakers are mainly in Togo. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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