Berta

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
wti
Alternate Names
Barta, Beni Shangul, Bertha, Burta, Jebelawi, Wetawit
Population

187,000 in Ethiopia (2007 census), increasing. 99,700 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 209,000. Ethnic population: 3,450 Fadashi.

Location

Benishangul-Gumuz Region, corner formed by Blue Nile river and Sudan border north of Asosa; Dalati, Sirba Abay area east of Dabus river. Also in Sudan.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Berta
Dialects

Bake, Dabuso, Fadashi, Mayu, Shuru, Undu. Probably more than one language.

Typology

SVO; case suffixes, passive, causative; prepositions; tonal

Language Use

16,533 L2 speakers. All domains, except for religion (which is in Arabic [arb]). All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 10%. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Berta
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

‘Beni Shangul’ is the Arabic name. Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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