Tsamai

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
tsb
Alternate Names
Bago S’aamakk-Ulo, Cule, Kuile, Kule, S’amai, Tamaha, Tsamakko, Tsamako, Ts’amay
Population

18,000 (2007 census). 5,300 monolinguals.

Location

Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Omo area, lowlands west of Lake Chamo.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Dullay
Dialects

The Tsamai say Gawwada [gwd] is difficult to understand. Possibly related to Birale [bxe]. The most aberrant variety in the Dullay classification. Lexical similarity: 56%–73% with Gawwada [gwd] dialects, 61% with Bussa [dox], 31% with Konso [kxc].

Typology

SOV

Language Use

1,200 L2 speakers. Positive attitudes. Many Tsamai are now shifting to Konso [kxc] or Hamar [amf].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 3%.
Writing
Unwritten.