Ale

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A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639-3
gwd
Alternate Names
Dabosse, Debase, Dobase, Dullay, Gobeze, Qawko, Werizoid, “Gauwada” (pej.), “Gawata” (pej.), “Gawwada” (pej.), “Gewada” (pej.), “Kawwad’a” (pej.), “Kawwada” (pej.)
Autonym
Ale (Ale)
Population

85,670, all users. L1 users: 84,300 (2017). L2 users: 1,370. 27,500 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 68,600 (2007 census).

Location

Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: Segen zone, west of Lake Chamo.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Dullay
Dialects

Tihinte (Dihina), Gargarte (K’ark’arte), Dobase (Gobeze), Golango (Kollanko, Wollango), Gorroze, Harse (Worase). Lexical similarity: 78% with Bussa [dox], 73% with Tsamai [tsb], 77% with the Harso dialect, 92% with the Gollango dialect, 41% with Konso [kxc]. The Harso dialect has 80% lexical similarity with the Dobase dialect of Bussa [dox], 56% with Tsamai [tsb].

Typology

SOV; 26 consonants and 5 vowels; vowel gemination; verbs are polysynthetic.

Language Use

All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Amharic [amh], Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo [gax], Konso [kxc].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 22%. First grade pilot classes started November 2017.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ale
Writing

Latin script [Latn], minimal usage.

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