Datooga

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
tcc
Alternate Names
Datog, Datoga, “Mangati” (pej.), Tatog, Tatoga, Taturu
Population

87,800 (2000).

Location

Singida and Manyara regions; Mara Region, Bunda and Serengeti districts. Barabaig dialect: mainly north volcanic highlands near Mt. Hanang.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Southern, Tatoga
Dialects

Bajuta (Bajuuta), Barabayiiga (Barabaig, Barabaik, Barabayga, Barbaig), Bianjiida (Biyanjiida, Utatu), Buraadiiga (Buradiga, Bureadiga), Gisamjanga (Gisamjang, Kisamajeng), Rootigaanga (Rotigeenga, Rotigenga), Tsimajeega (Isimijeega). Sabaot [spy] is probably the most similar language. Barabaik and Kisamajeng dialects are very similar and are completely inherently intelligible. There are several other dialects or ethnic groups: Darorajega, Gidang’odiga, Bisiyeda, Daragwajega, Salawajega, Ghumbiega, and Mangatiga. Lexical similarity: 50% with Kalenjin [kln] languages and Omotik [omt] of Kenya.

Typology

VSO; prepositions; genitives, articles, adjectives, numerals after noun heads; question word final; 4 prefixes, 5 suffixes on verb; case marked by tone; verb affixes mark person, number; (C)(C)V(:), VC; tonal

Language Use

Vigorous. All ages. Some also use Swahili [swh], Iraqw [irk], Lambya [lai], or Nyaturu [rim].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 1%. NT: 2009.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Datooga
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

‘Mangati’ or ‘Ole-Mangati’ is Maasai, enemies. Taturu is the Sukuma name. There is intermarriage with the Iraqw. Datooga orthography is different from Swahili [swh]. Traditional religion, Christian.