Alagwa

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
wbj
Alternate Names
Alagwaisa, Alagwase, Alawa, Asi, Chasi, Hhagiree, Kialagwa, Kichase, Wasi
Population

30,000 (Kiessling and Mous 2003).

Location

Dodoma Region, Kondoa district.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, South
Dialects

Grammar is closer to Iraqw [irk] but not inherently intelligible. High degree of lexical similarity with Burunge [bds].

Typology

SVO; content questions with the q-word in situ; 3 genders; two tones, primarily grammatical

Language Use

Vigorous in most villages. Home. All ages. Most children use as L1. In mixed villages children tend to speak Rangi [lag] among themselves. Positive attitudes. Also use Swahili [swh]; some also use Rangi [lag].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 0%. Literacy rate in L2: Many are literate in Swahili [swh]; some also in Arabic [arb]. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Alagwa
Writing
Unwritten.
Other Comments

Many villages have Islamic education and some children know Arabic and Swahili more fluently than Alagwa. Alagwa may be more readily recognized as Wasi. Muslim, traditional religion.