Page Type: languageSaho | Ethnologue

SSY ISO 639-3

Saho

Saho Autonym

A language of Eritrea

ISO 639
ssy
Alternate Names
Sao, Shaho, Shiho, Shoho
Autonym
Saho
Population
243,000 in Eritrea (2020), increasing. Total users in all countries: 279,180 (as L1: 275,800; as L2: 3,380).
Location:
Debub, Northern Red Sea, and Southern Red Sea regions.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Saho-Afar
Dialects
Irob dialect only in Ethiopia. Very similar to Afar [aar].
Typology
SOV.
Language Use
Home, community. Used by all. Also use Afar [aar]. Also use Tigré [tig]. Also use Tigrigna [tir].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Females: about 30%. Literacy rate in L2: Below 5%. Taught in some primary schools. Literature. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Texts. Bible portions: 1964.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Saho
Writing
Ethiopic script [Ethi], official usage in Ethiopia. Latin script [Latn], official usage in Eritrea.
Other Comments
Ethnic group names are Asa’orta, Hadu (Hazu), Miniferi. Nomadic. Not accepting of outsiders. Muslim, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Saho
User Population
36,180 in Ethiopia, all users. L1 users: 32,800 in Ethiopia (2007 census). L2 users: 3,380. Ethnic population: 33,400 (2007 census).
Location
Afar and Tigray regions.
Dialects
Irob.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Ethnic group names are Asa’orta, Hadu (Hazu), Miniferi. Irob, unlike others, are not nomadic. Christian.
View other languages of Ethiopia

Map

Location: Debub, Northern Red Sea, and Southern Red Sea regions.