Languages of Oman
See language map.Sultanate of Oman, Saltanat ’Uman. 2,507,000. 535,000 are expatriates (1993 census). National or official language: Standard Arabic. Literacy rate: 59.75% (1993 census). Immigrant languages: Gujarati, Portuguese, Sindhi, Somali, Swahili (22,000), Urdu (30,000). Also includes languages of Bangladesh (88,000), Egypt (33,000), India (268,000), Jordan (8,000), Pakistan (63,000), Philippines (10,000), Sri Lanka (25,000), Sudan (9,000), Gulf States (6,000), other Arab (10,000), United Kingdom (7,000). Information mainly from C. Holes 1988, 1990; T. Johnstone 1967. Deaf population: 103,131. The number of individual languages listed for Oman is 15. Of those, all are living languages.
| Arabic, Baharna Spoken | [abv]
10,000 in Oman (1995).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
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| Arabic, Dhofari Spoken | [adf]
70,000 (1996). In Salala and nearby coastal regions.
Alternate names: Dhofari, Zofari.
Dialects: Related to Hadromi Spoken Arabic [ayh] and Gulf Spoken Arabic [afb].
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
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| Arabic, Gulf Spoken | [afb]
441,000 in Oman (1995). Most coastal and border regions with the United Arab Emirates.
Alternate names: Bedawi, Gulf Arabic, Khaliji, Omani Bedawi Arabic.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
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| Arabic, Omani Spoken | [acx]
720,000 in Oman (1996). Population total all countries: 853,900. Mainly in Hajar Mountains highlands; a few coastal regions. Also in Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates.
Alternate names: Omani Hadari Arabic.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
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| Arabic, Shihhi Spoken | [ssh]
22,000 in Oman (2000).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
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| Arabic, Standard | [arb]
Middle East, North Africa.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
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| Balochi, Southern | [bcc]
130,000 in Oman (1993). Ethnic population: 312,000 in Oman (1993). Previously in Mutrah, but now dispersed up the coast.
Alternate names: Baloci, Baluchi, Baluci.
Dialects: Makrani (Lotuni, Zadgaali), Barahuwi, Bashgaadi, Huuti.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi
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| Bathari | [bhm]
200 in Oman. Dhofar Governorate, Shuwaymiya and Sharbithat, costal towns.
Alternate names: Batahari, Bathara.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, South Arabian
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| Farsi, Western | [pes]
25,000 in Oman (1993). Scattered coastal cities. Mutrah area, Jabroo community, toward Ruwi.
Alternate names: Persian.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian
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| Harsusi | [hss]
600. South central Oman, Dhofar Province, Jiddat al-Harasis.
Alternate names: Harsi ’Aforit, Hersyet.
Dialects: Similar to Mehri [gdq], but usually considered a separate language.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, South Arabian
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| Hobyót | [hoh]
100 in Oman (1998 H. Mutzafi). Near Yemen border. Also in Yemen.
Alternate names: Hewbyót, Hobi.
Dialects: Related to Mehri [gdq], Shehri [shv]. Possibly a mixed language from Shehri and Mehri.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, South Arabian
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| Kumzari | [zum]
1,700 (1993 census). North Oman, Musandam Peninsula.
Alternate names: Kumzai.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Luri
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| Luwati | [luv]
5,000 (1996). Mutrah walled quarter, facing the old harbor; Muscat and other cities.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Unclassified
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| Mehri | [gdq]
50,800 in Oman (2000). South Oman near Yemen border.
Alternate names: Mahri.
Dialects: Nagdi.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, South Arabian
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| Shehri | [shv]
25,000 (1993 census). Dofar, mountains north of Al-Salala.
Alternate names: Ehkili, Geblet, Jibali, Jibbali, Qarawi, Sehri, Shahari, Sheret.
Dialects: Central Jibbali, Eastern Jibbali, Western Jibbali. Eastern Jibbali includes Kuria Muria (‘Baby’ Jibbali). Reportedly increasingly bilingual in Dhofari Arabic [adf].
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, South Arabian
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