Aari | Ethnologue

A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639: aiw
Alternate Names: Aarai, Ara, Ari, Aro, “Shankilla” (pej.), “Shankilligna” (pej.), “Shankillinya” (pej.)
Autonym: አፋን፡ኣሪ፡‎ (Áfan ārí)
Population: 298,300, all users. L1 users: 285,000 (2007 census). Includes Gayil [gyl] speakers. L2 users: 13,300. 129,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 290,000 (2007 census). Includes Gayil [gyl].
Location:: Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: central north Omo zone, south tip of Ethiopia plateau.
Language Status: 4 (Educational).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, South
Dialects: Bako (Baco), Biyo (Bio), Laydo, Seyki, Shangama, Sido, Wubahamer (Ubamer), Zeddo. Reportedly similar to Gayil [gyl].
Typology: SOV.
Language Use: Home, market. Used by all. Also use Amharic [amh]. Used as L2 by Dime [dim].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 8%. Grade 1 pilot classes are in progress. NT: 1997.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Aari
Writing: Ethiopic script [Ethi]. Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Patrilineal. Traditional religion, Christian.

Location: Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: central north Omo zone, south tip of Ethiopia plateau.