Burji

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
bji
Alternate Names
Bambala, Bembala, Daashi
Population

46,400 in Ethiopia (2007 census). 29,300 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 70,100.

Location

South of Lake Chamo. Also in Kenya.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Highland
Dialects

Lexical similarity: 41% with Sidamo [sid] (most similar).

Typology

SOV; passives; middle voice; causatives; subject suffixes distinguish person, number, gender

Language Use

3,045 L2 speakers. 32,000 in ethnic group (2000 M. Brenzinger). Many in Ethiopia are older adults.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 29%. Dictionary. NT: 1993.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Burji
Writing
Ethiopic script.
Other Comments

Christian, Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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