The Ometo languages of Ethiopia are a dialect cluster of the Omotic family, generally accepted as part of the Afro-Asiatic language family. They include the most populous Omotic language, Wolaytta, with two million speakers.[1] The languages have around 4 million speakers.
| Ometo | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution | Ethiopia |
| Linguistic classification | Afro-Asiatic |
| Subdivisions |
|
| Language codes | |
| Glottolog | omet1238 |
Classification
Bender (2000)
Bender (2000) classifies them as,[1]
- South: Maale
- Basketo
- Central: Wolaytta (Ometo), Oyda (Oyta), Melo (Malo), Dorze–Gamo-Gofa-Dawro
- East: Gats'ame (Kachama-Ganjule), Koorete (Koyra, Harro), Zayse-Zergulla
Blench (2006)
Hayward (2003) added Basketo to Central Ometo and called the result 'North Ometo',[2] a position followed by Blench (2006).
Blench (2006) lists several additional North Ometo languages, and lists Chara as unclassified within the family.[3]
- North: Misketto (Basketto), Dokka, Doko-Dolo, Wolaitta (Welamo), Zala, Oyda, Malo, Dorze–Laha–Gamo–Gofa–Kullo-Konta–Dache, Ganjule, Gidicho, Kachama
- East: Gatame (Haruro), Zayse (+Zergula), Koore/Koyra (Badittu)
- South: Maale
- ?: Ch'ara
He also lists Balta, a regional name for Wolaytta, as a possibly separate language.
Notes
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