Tsamai | Ethnologue

A language of Ethiopia

ISO 639: tsb
Alternate Names: Bago S’aamakk-Ulo, Bago Tsamakkilo, S’amai, Tamaha, Ts’amay, Tsamakko, Tsamako, Tsemay, “Cule” (pej.), “Kuile” (pej.), “Kule” (pej.)
Autonym: Bago Ts’amakkilo
Population: 19,200, all users. L1 users: 18,000 (2007 census). L2 users: 1,200. 5,300 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 20,000 (2007 census).
Location:: Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: South Omo area, lowlands west of Lake Chamo.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Dullay
Dialects: The Tsamai say Ale [gwd] is difficult to understand. Possibly related to Birale [bxe]. The most divergent variety in the Dullay classification. Lexical similarity: 56%–73% with Ale [gwd] dialects, 61% with Mositacha [dox], 31% with Konso [kxc].
Typology: SOV.
Language Use: Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Hamer-Banna [amf]. Also use Konso [kxc]. Used as L2 by Ongota [bxe].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 3%. Non-formal mother-tongue education classes since 2020. Literature.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Tsamai
Writing: Latin script [Latn], trial orthography since 2018, official usage.

Location: Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: South Omo area, lowlands west of Lake Chamo.