Bench
PrintPrimary tabs
A language of Ethiopia
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Benchnon, Bencnon, Dizu, “Ghimarra” (pej.), “Gimarra” (pej.), “Gimira” (pej.)
Autonym
Bèntʂ nòn (Benc’non)
Population
370,600, all users. L1 users: 348,000 (2007 census). 14,300 Mer. L2 users: 22,600. 150,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 352,000 (2007 census).
Location
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: Mizan Teferi area.
Language Maps
Language Status
4 (Educational).
Dialects
Bench (Bencho, Benesho), Mer (Mieru), She (Kaba, Sce).
Typology
SOV; tonal, 5 level tones, 1 glide.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 12% in Amharic [amh]. Pilot education project begun in 2008. Taught in primary schools as medium of instruction for grades 1–4. Taught as a subject in grades 5–6, with grade 7 materials being developed. Radio. NT: 1990.
Language Resources
Traditional religion.