Konso

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
kxc
Alternate Names
Af Kareti, Afa Karatti, Conso, Gato, Karate, Kareti, Komso
Population

242,000 (2007 census), increasing. 139,000 monolinguals.

Location

South of Lake Chamo, Sagan river bend. A few in Kenya.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

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

Duuro, Fasha, Karatti, Kholme. Lexical similarity: 55% with Dirasha [gdl], 51% with Bussa [dox], 41% with Gawwada [gwd], 31% with Tsamai [tsb].

Typology

SOV

Language Use

5,658 L2 speakers. All domains. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 54% (EECMY). Literacy rate in L2: 25%. Radio programs. Bible: 2009.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Konso
Writing
Ethiopic script, used in Church literature. Latin script, official script since mid 1990s, no materials developed yet.
Other Comments

Gat(t)o is a town on both sides of Gatto River; those living on Konso side speak a dialect of Konso; those on Gidole side speak a dialect of Diraytta [gdl]. Traditional religion, Christian.