Datooga
A language of Tanzania
| Population | 87,800 (2000). |
| Region | Singida and Manyara regions; Mara region, Bunda and Serengeti districts. Barabaig mainly in north volcanic highlands near Mt. Hanang. |
| Language map |
Tanzania, reference number 18 |
| Alternate names | Datog, Datoga, “Mangati” , Tatog, Tatoga, Taturu |
| Dialects | Bajuta, Gisamjanga (Kisamajeng, Gisamjang), Barabayiiga (Barabaig, Barabayga, Barabaik, Barbaig), Tsimajeega (Isimijeega), Rootigaanga (Rotigenga, Rotigeenga), Buraadiiga (Buradiga, Bureadiga), Bianjiida (Biyanjiida, Utatu). 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, Mangatiga. Lexical similarity: 50% with Kalenjin [kln] languages and Omotik [omt] of Kenya. |
| Classification | Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Southern, Tatoga |
| Language use | Vigorous. Some also use Swahili [swh], Iraqw [irk], Lambya [lai], or Nyaturu [rim]. |
| Language development | Literacy rate in L2: 1%. |
| Comments | ‘Mangati’ or ‘Ole-Mangati’ is the Maasai name meaning ‘enemies’. ‘Taturu’ is the Sukuma name. There is intermarriage with the Iraqw. Datooga orthography is different from Swahili. 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. Pastoralists: cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys; agriculturalists: maize, beans, millet; hunters. Traditional religion, Christian. |
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