Page Type: languageDomari | Ethnologue

RMT ISO 639-3

Domari

A language of Turkey

ISO 639
rmt
Alternate Names
Dom, Gypsy, Mıtrıp, Middle Eastern Romani, Tsigene
Population
A few scattered and isolated speaker populations (Herin 2016). Ethnic population: 28,500 (Gunnemark and Kenrick 1985). Total users in all countries: 1.
Location:
Scattered in the region between Mersin and Sanliurfa provinces.
Language Status
6b (Threatened).
Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Dom
Dialects
Karachi (Garachi, Karači, Qarachi). Part of the northern Domari dialect area, along with Lebanon and Syria. Intelligibility limited with speakers of the southern dialect (Herin 2016).
Language Use
Some young people, all adults. Some children in Hatay province reportedly speak the language (2018 B. Herin). All also use Turkish [tur] (Herin 2016). Some also use North Levantine Spoken Arabic [apc], among the older generation of Hatay province (Herin 2016). Some also use Northern Kurdish [kmr] (Marsh 2008). Some also use Southern Zazaki [diq] (Marsh 2008).
Language Development
Printed or pre-recorded Romani language materials may not be understandable outside the country (or context of surrounding languages) in which they were produced. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Domari
Writing
Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments
In Diyarbakir and Mardin provinces, Domari is no longer spoken. In its place, a mixed language called Domani has developed which has a morphosyntax based on Kurdish [kmr] and many Domari lexical items (Herin 2016). Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Domari
User Population
A few scattered and isolated speaker populations (Herin 2016). Ethnic population: 4,910 (2000).
Location
‘Amman governorate and Iraqi-Jordan border area (Al Mafraq governorate).
Dialects
Nawar (Nawari), Kurbat (Ghorbati), Barake. Part of the southern Domari dialect area, along with Palestine. Intelligibility limited with speakers of the northern dialect (Herin 2016).
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Arabic influence. Muslim.
View other languages of Jordan
Language Name
Domari
User Population
A few scattered and isolated speaker populations (Herin 2016).
Location
Beqaa valley.
Dialects
Part of the northern Domari dialect area, along with Syria and southern Turkey (Herin 2016).
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Lebanon
Language Name
Domari
User Population
1 in Palestine (Matras 2019). Ethnic population: 2,000 (1997 Y. Matras).
Location
Jerusalem governorate; refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza.
Dialects
Nawari. Part of the southern Domari dialect area, along with Jordan. Intelligibility limited with speakers of northern dialect (Herin 2016).
Language Status
8b (Nearly extinct)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Many loanwords from Arabic [arb], Kurdish, and some other Iranian languages. Muslim.
View other languages of Palestine
Language Name
Domari
User Population
A few scattered and isolated speaker populations (Herin 2016). Ethnic population: 37,000 (2005).
Location
Ar Raqqah governorate: scattered nomadic groups; north, western rural areas.
Dialects
Nawar (Nawari), Kurbati (Ghorbati), Beirut, Nablos, Barake. Part of the northern Domari dialect area, along with Lebanon and southern Turkey. Limited intelligibility with speakers of the southern dialect (Herin 2016).
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Arabic influence. Muslim.
View other languages of Syria

Map

Location: Scattered in the region between Mersin and Sanliurfa provinces.