Dirasha

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
gdl
Alternate Names
Dhirasha, Diraasha, Dirayta, Gardulla, Ghidole, Gidole
Population

65,300 (2007 census). Ethnic population: 90,000 (2005 SIL). 41,100 Gidole, 7,470 Kusumitta (2007 census).

Location

Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), North Omo zone, hills west of Lake Chamo, Gidole town area.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Konso-Gidole
Dialects

Kusumitta, Mosiya. Part of a dialect subgroup with Konso [kxc] and Bussa [dox]. Lexical similarity: 55% with Konso [kxc].

Typology

SOV; verb suffix morphology shows causative, reflexive, subject person, number, gender

Language Use

7,000 L2 speakers. All domains except education. All ages. Neutral attitudes. Also use Amharic [amh], Eastern Oromo [hae], Konso [kxc], or Bussa [dox].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 0%. Trial L1 classes started in 2006; basic primer tested.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Dirasha
Writing
Ethiopic script, used since 2010, used in Church literature.
Other Comments

Christian.