Malila
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A language of Tanzania
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Ishimalilia, Kimalila, Malilia, Shimalilia
Autonym
Bamalila
Population
78,000 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009).
Location
Mbeya region: Mbeya Rural district, 40 km southwest of Mbeya town.
Language Maps
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Classification
Typology
SVO; prepositions; noun head initial; noun classes; verbal affixation for subject, object, tense, aspect, mood and derivation; 36 consonant phonemes; 14 vowel phonemes; tonal.
Language Use
Vigorous. Other language speakers moving into the area learn Malila. Most domains including church and politics. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Swahili [swh].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: Low. SIL has transition literacy work (Swahili to Malila), and some pre-school basic literacy classes. Literature. Bible portions: 2010–2015.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Little intermarriage. Christian.