Asu

A language of Tanzania

ISO 639: asa
Alternate Names: Ashu, Athu, Casu, Chasu, Chiasu, Kiathu, Kipare, Pare, Pare-Asu
Population: 530,000 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009). 25,000 monolinguals.
Location:: Kilimanjaro region: Pare mountains, Mwanga and Same districts; Manyara and Tanga regions.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Shambala (G.22)
Dialects: Gonja, Mbaga. Related to Taveta [tvs].
Language Use: Vigorous. Home, religion. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng]. Also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Gweno [gwe], Mbugu [mhd].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 80%. Dictionary. NT: 1922–1967.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Asu
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: ‘Wapare’ is an ethnic group name. Christian, Muslim.

Location: Kilimanjaro region: Pare mountains, Mwanga and Same districts; Manyara and Tanga regions.