Dazaga

A language of Chad

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Dasa, Daza, Dazza

Population

331,000 in Chad (2006). Population total all countries: 381,000.

Location

Kanem and Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti regions, Borkou, Ennedi Est, and Ennedi Ouest departments, north of Lake Chad. Also in Niger.

Language Maps

Niger

Chad

Southwestern Chad

Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Classification

Nilo-Saharan, Saharan, Western, Tebu

Dialects

Similar to Tedaga [tuq]. The Azzaga dialect, the speech of the Azza, a caste division, is different from Dazaga. Its relation to Dazaga and speech of the Azza among the Teda is not known.

Language Use

Most also use Chadian Spoken Arabic [shu].

Language Development

Newspapers. Radio programs. Dictionary. Bible portions: 2006.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Dazaga

Writing

Latin script.

Other Comments

Distinct from Daza [dzd] in Nigeria, which is Chadic. L1 users known as the Gorane. Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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Niger

Language nameDazaga

Population

50,000 in Niger (2007 SIL). Ethnic population: About 30%.

Location

North of Goure; east near the Chadian border.

Alternate Names

Daza, Toubou, Tubu

Dialects

Azzaga, Kashirda.

Status

5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (1999, Constitution, Article 3).

Language Use

Government plans to develop Dazaga for formal and informal education. Positive attitudes. French [fra] used in education. Also use Hausa [hau], Arabic [aao], Manga Kanuri [kby], or Tumari Kanuri [krt]. Hausa [hau] used in interaction with non-Daza, especially among men. Far more men than women are bilingual.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy rate in L2: About 20% in French, 40% in Hausa [hau], 5% in Arabic [aao], 5% in Kanuri [kby]. A few literacy classes for adults. Little interest in Roman script literacy, but growing interest in Arabic script (Ajami) literacy.

Other Comments

In Niger, the ethnonym Daza refers to several clans who speak Dazaga as their mother tongue. The outsider term, Tubu, groups Dazaga and Tedaga [tuq]. Most Dazaga (Dazagada) are in Chad, where they are known as Gorane. Different from Daza [dzd] in Nigeria, which is Chadic. Muslim.

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Dazaga

A language of Chad

Also spoken in:

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Dazaga

A language of Chad

Also spoken in: