Sandawe

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
sad
Alternate Names
Kisandawe, Sandaui, Sandaweeki, Sandawi, Sandwe
Population

40,000 (2000).

Location

Dodoma Region, Kondoa district, between Bubu and Mponde rivers.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Khoisan, Sandawe
Dialects

Eastern Sandawe, Western Sandawe.

Typology

SOV

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes, but think Sandawe too difficult to read or write. Most also use Swahili [swh].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Some literacy classes, but Sandawe is difficult to write; people prefer Swahili [swh]. Poetry. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 2006–2012.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Intermarried with the Gogo, Turu, and Maasai. Christian, traditional religion, Muslim.