Oromo, West Central
PrintA language of Ethiopia
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Afan Oromo, “Galla” (pej.), Oromiffa, Oromoo
Population
8,920,000 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 25,500,000 all Oromo speakers in Ethiopia (2007 census). Population total all countries: 8,922,200. Ethnic population: All ethnic Oromo are 30,000,000 in Ethiopia.
Location
West and central Oromiya Region; Rift Valley escarpment east of Dessie and Woldiya. Also in Egypt.
Language Maps
Language Status
2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial working language in Oromia Region (1994, Constitution, Article 47(3)).
Classification
Dialects
Central Oromo, Western Oromo. Subdialects are Mecha (Maccha, Wellaga, Wallaga, Wollega), Raya, Wello (Wollo), and Tulema (Tulama, Shoa, Shewa). Harar and Boran are most divergent.
Typology
SOV
Language Use
Used by regional and national governments.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 22%. Taught in primary schools. Newspapers. Radio programs. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1899–1998.
Language Resources
Writing
Ethiopic script, used until 1990s. Latin script, used since 1990s.
In Ethiopia, Oromo is viewed as 1 people who speak 1 language. Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.