Izere

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A language of Nigeria

ISO 639-3
izr
Alternate Names
Afizare, Afizarek, Afusare, Feserek, Fezere, Fizere, Hill Jarawa, Izarek, Jarawa, Jarawan Dutse, Jari, Jos-Zarazon
Population

50,000 (1993 SIL).

Location

Bauchi State, Toro LGA; Kaduna State, Jema’a LGA. South Izere dialect: Plateau State, Barikin Ladi LGA; North, Northeast Izere: Plateau State, Jos LGA.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Plateau, Central, South-Central
Dialects

Northeast Izere, Northwest Izere, South Izere. Fobor dialect is prestigious. Northwest Izere subdialects: Fobor (Fobur), Shere; Northeast: Fedare (Zandi, Zendi), Jarawan Kogi (Maigemu), and Fursom (Fursum); South: Forom (Ichen). Firan [fir] is a separate language.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Radio programs. NT: 2006.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Izere
Writing
Latin script, used since 1985.
Other Comments

Glossonyms: Izarek, Izere, or Izer; Bajari (sg.), Jarawa (pl.). Ethnonyms: Afizarek, Afizere, Afudelek, Fizere, Feserek, Fezere, Hill Jarawa, Jarawan Dutse; Jos-Zarazon for indigenous speakers in Jos.