Chara

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
cra
Alternate Names
Ciara
Population

13,087 (2007 census). 5,560 monolinguals.

Location

Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), South Omo zone, both sides of Omo river.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Chara
Dialects

Buch’a. Lexical similarity: 54% with Wolaytta [wal].

Typology

SOV; noun case suffixes; postpositions

Language Use

Vigorous. 668 L2 speakers. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. May also use Melo [mfx] or Dawro [dwr]. Some also use Wolaytta [wal] to the east or Kafa [kbr] to the west.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: Below 1%.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chara
Writing
Unwritten.
Other Comments

Traditional religion.