Somali

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A language of Somalia

ISO 639-3
som
Alternate Names
Af-Maxaad Tiri, Af-Soomaali, Common Somali, Soomaaliga, Standard Somali
Population

8,340,000 in Somalia (2006). Population total all countries: 16,559,722.

Location

Widespread. Also in Canada, Denmark, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Finland, Italy, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Yemen.

Language Maps
Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2004, Transitional Federal Charter, Article 7(1)).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
Dialects

Af-Ashraaf (Ashraaf), Benaadir, Northern Somali. Northern Somali is basis for standard Somali. Readily intelligible to Benaadir Somali speakers, but difficult or unintelligible to most Maay [ymm]. Those in Merka and Muqdisho speak Af-Ashraaf, a distinct variety which may have limited inherent intelligibility of standard Somali.

Typology

SOV

Language Use

Language of most of the people of the country. Also use Arabic [arb] or Italian [ita].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 25% in cities, 10% rural. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. New media. Radio programs. Films. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1979.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Somali
Writing
Arabic script, no longer in use. Latin script, used since 1972. Osmanya script, no longer in use.
Other Comments

Muslim, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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