Page Type: languageOromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji | Ethnologue

GAX ISO 639-3

Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji

Afaan Oromoo Autonym

A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639
gax
Alternate Names
Afan Oromo, Booranaa, Borana, Oromiffa, Oromoo, Southern Oromo, “Galla” (pej.), “Galligna” (pej.), “Gallinya” (pej.)
Autonym
Afaan Oromoo
Population
7,780,000 in Ethiopia (2018). 36,600,000 all Oromo speakers in Ethiopia (2018 World Factbook). Total users in all countries: 8,448,600.
Location:
Afar, Amhara, and Somali regions; Oromia region: south; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Oromo
Dialects
A member of macrolanguage Oromo [orm].
Typology
SOV; postpositions; gender (masculine/feminine); case-marking (7 cases); verb affixes mark person, number, gender of subject; passives (active, middle, passive); tense and aspect; 25 consonant and 10 vowel phonemes; pitch accent.
Language Use
Used by all. Also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Ale [gwd], Girirra [gii].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 16%. Non-formal literacy classes. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1967.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji
Writing
Ethiopic script [Ethi], no longer in use. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.
Other Comments
In Ethiopia, Oromo is viewed as one people who speak one language. Called Borana in Kenya where Gabra and Sakuye dialects may have significant dialect and language attitude differences from Borana dialect. Muslim, traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Borana
User Population
627,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing. , based on ethnicity. Ajuran 182,000, Borana 276,000, Gabra 141,000, Sakuye 27,000 (2019 census).
Location
Isiolo, Laikipia, Mandera, Marsabit, and Wajir counties: Lake Turkana east to Ethiopia-Somalia border, and south toward Nairobi.
Dialects
Boran, Gabra, Guji, Ajuran, Sakuye.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Borana is used almost exclusively in Kenya, but Oromo used in Ethiopia. Semi-nomadic. Muslim, Christian, traditional religion.
View other languages of Kenya
Language Name
Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji
User Population
41,600 in Somalia (2000).
Location
Gedo region.
Dialects
Borana (Booran, Boran).
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
The Oromo variety in Gedo is probably Borana; that in the Lower Jubba region is probably Orma [orc]. The Oromo spoken in the Lower Jubba region may actually be Orma. The Orma controlled that area until the mid or late 19th century. They move from lower Tana River inland toward Kitui District during rainy season. Muslim.
View other languages of Somalia

Map

Location: Afar, Amhara, and Somali regions; Oromia region: south; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region.