Burji | Ethnologue

A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639: bji
Alternate Names: Bambala, Bembala, Daashi, Dhaashatee
Autonym: Burji, ቡረጊ‎ (Burji)
Population: 49,450 in Ethiopia, all users. L1 users: 46,400 in Ethiopia (2007 census). L2 users: 3,050. 29,300 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 71,800 (2007 census). Total users in all countries: 86,350 (as L1: 83,300; as L2: 3,050).
Location:: Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: south of Lake Chamo; into Oromia region.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Highland
Dialects: None known. Lexical similarity: 41% with Sidamo [sid] (most similar).
Typology: SOV; passives; middle voice; causatives; subject suffixes distinguish person, number, gender.
Language Use: Some of all ages. Many in Ethiopia are older adults. Also use Amharic [amh].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 29%. Taught in primary schools as a subject in grades 1–4. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1993.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Burji
Writing: Ethiopic script [Ethi]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.
Other Comments: Christian, Muslim.

Kenya

Location: Marsabit county: Moyale township area.
Language Status: 7 (Shifting)
Other Comments: Non-indigenous. Brought from Ethiopia in the 1930s to build roads from Moyale to other north Kenya towns. Christian, traditional religion.

Location: Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: south of Lake Chamo; into Oromia region.