Awngi
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A language of Ethiopia
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Agau, Agaw, Agew, Agew-Awi, Agow, Awŋi, Awawar, Awi, Awija, Awiya, Damot, Kwollanyoch, “Kumfel” (pej.), “Kunfel” (pej.), “Kunfäl” (pej.)
Population
553,400, all users. L1 users: 489,000 (2007 census), increasing. L2 users: 64,400 (1994 census). 323,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 636,000 (2007 census).
Location
Amhara region: Awi and north Gonder zones, southwest of Lake Tana; Benishangul-Gumuz region: Metekel zone.
Language Maps
Language Status
4 (Educational).
Classification
Dialects
Dega, Kwolla, Northern Awngi (“Kunfäl” (pej.)).
Typology
SOV; tonal.
Language Use
All domains. Used by all. Neutral attitudes. Also use Amharic [amh], mostly in towns, and among Northern Awngi, only males know it; countryside population has very limited knowledge of the language.
Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Radio. Bible portions: 2009.
Language Resources
Writing
Ethiopic script [Ethi], used since 1995.