Aari

Primary tabs

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Aarai, Ara, Ari, Aro, “Shankilla” (pej.), “Shankilligna” (pej.), “Shankillinya” (pej.)

Autonym

Aari

Population

298,300, all users. L1 users: 285,000 (2010 UNSD). L2 users: 13,300. 129,000 monolinguals.

Location

Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: central north Omo zone, south tip of Ethiopia plateau.

Language Maps

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Dialects

Bako (Baco), Biyo (Bio), Laydo, Seyki, Shangama, Sido, Wubahamer (Ubamer), Zeddo. Reportedly similar to Gayil [gyl].

Typology

SOV.

Language Use

Home, market. Also use Amharic [amh]. Used as L2 by Dime [dim].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 8%. Grade 1 pilot classes are in progress. Taught in primary schools. NT: 1997.

Language Resources

Writing

Ethiopic script [Ethi]. Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Patrilineal. Traditional religion, Christian.