Saho

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A language of Eritrea

ISO 639-3

ssy

Alternate Names

Sao, Shaho, Shiho, Shoho

Autonym

Saho

Population

235,000 in Eritrea (2016), increasing. Total users in all countries: 271,180 (as L1: 267,800; as L2: 3,380).

Location

Debub, Northern Red Sea, and Southern Red Sea regions.

Language Maps

Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Saho-Afar

Dialects

Irob dialect only in Ethiopia. Very similar to Afar [aar].

Typology

SOV.

Language Use

Home, community. Used by all. Also use Afar [aar], Tigrigna [tir], Tigré [tig].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: Females: about 30%. Literacy rate in L2: Below 5%. Taught in some primary schools. Literature. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Texts. Bible portions: 1964.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Saho

Writing

Ethiopic script [Ethi], official usage in Ethiopia. Latin script [Latn], official usage in Eritrea.

Other Comments

Ethnic group names are Asa’orta, Hadu (Hazu), Miniferi. Nomadic. Not accepting of outsiders. Muslim, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Ethiopia

Language nameSaho

Population Full

36,180 in Ethiopia, all users. L1 users: 32,800 in Ethiopia (2007 census). L2 users: 3,380. Ethnic population: 33,400 (2007 census).

Location

Afar and Tigray regions.

Alternate Names

Sao, Shaho, Shiho, Shoho

Dialects

Irob.

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Also use Amharic [amh].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: High. Taught in primary schools.

Other Comments

Ethnic group names are Asa’orta, Hadu (Hazu), Miniferi. Irob, unlike others, are not nomadic. Christian.

View other languages of Ethiopia

Ethnologue

Saho

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A language of Eritrea

Also spoken in:

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