SOMALI KUSHITIC LANGUEGES AND SOMALI OROMO RELATION

Somalia
8,505,000 (1995). Somali Democratic Republic. Jamhuriyadda Dimugradiga Somaliya. Formerly British and Italian Somaliland. Literacy rate 24% to 40%; 3% (1977 C. M. Brann). Most of the Arabic and all of the people from India and Italy have left. Information mainly from M. Lamberti 1986; D. Biber 1984; B.W. Andrzejewski 1975, 1978; A.O. Mansur 1986; M.H. Madany 1992. Data accuracy estimate: B. Muslim. Blind population 10,000 (1982 WCE). The number of languages listed for Somalia is 13.
ARABIC, STANDARD [ABV] Middle East, North Africa. Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic. Most Somalis have very limited or no ability in Arabic. Not used as a medium of communication by the government. National language. Braille Scripture in progress. Bible 1984-1991. NT 1980-1982. Bible portions 1984.
BONI (AWEERA, AWEER, WAATA, SANYE) [BOB] 5,000 in all countries (1980); few, if any, in Somalia (1991); 3,500 in Kenya (1994). Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Rendille-Boni. Reported to be linguistically close to Garre of Somalia, but not close in appearance or culture. Hunters. Muslim.
BOON (AF-BOON) [BNL] Speakers are over 60 years old (1986 M. Lamberti). Jilib District, Middle Jubba Region, scattered in the bush and live in settlements of 2 or 3 houses with their closest relatives. Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Unclassified. There are similarities to Somali. Not the same as Boni. In recent decades they have shifted to the Maay dialect of Jilib. Hunter-gatherers, leather workers. Nearly extinct.
DABARRE (AF-DABARRE) [DBR] 20,000 to 50,000 (1992). Spoken by the Dabarre clan around Dhiinsoor District, May Region, and the Iroole Clan in nearby Baraawe District, Lower Shabeelle Region, and in Qansax Dheere. Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali. Dialects: DABARRE, IROOLE (AF-IROOLE). A very distinctive language in the Digil clan family. Muslim. Survey needed.
ENGLISH [ENG] 322,000,000 in all countries (1995 WA). Indo-European, Germanic, West, North Sea, English. Used more in the north. National language. Bible 1535-1989. NT 1525-1985. Bible portions 1530-1987.
GARRE (AF-GARRE) [GEX] 50,000 or more (1992); perhaps several hundred thousand in the ethnic group. Dominate areas of southern Somalia, especially in the Wanle Weyn-Buur Hakaba area; Baydhaba, Dhiinsoor, Buurhakaba, and Qoryooley districts; Middle and Lower Shabeelle and Bay regions. Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali. Part of the Hawiye clan family. They consider themselves to be one people with the Garreh in Kenya, although they now speak different languages. Some ethnic Garre in Somalia speak Maay as mother tongue. Reported to be linguistically close to Boni. Muslim. Survey needed.
JIIDDU (JIDDU, AF-JIIDDU) [JII] 20,000 to 60,000 (1992). Lower Shabeelle Bay and Middle Jubba regions, Qoryooley, Dhiinsoor, Jilib, and Buurhakaba districts. Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali. A distinct language from Somali and Tunni, usually grouped under the Digil dialects or languages. Different sentence structure and phonology from Somali. Closer to Somali than to Baiso. Spoken by the Jiiddu clan. Ethnic Jiiddu in Bale Province, Ethiopia speak Oromo as mother tongue. Some similarities to Konsoid languages, and to Gedeo, Alaba, Hadiyya, and Kambaata. Muslim. Survey needed.
MAAY (AF-MAAY TIRI, AF-MAAY, AF-MAY, AF-MAYMAY, RAHANWEEN, RAHANWEYN) [QMA] 500,000 to 1,000,000 (1992); 700,000 to 1,500,000 including the Digil dialects or languages. Southern Somalia, Gedo Region, Middle and Lower Shabeelle, Middle and Lower Jubba, Baay, and Bakool regions. Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali. Dialect: AF-HELLEDI. It may be more than one language; the dialects form a continuum Standard Somali is difficult or unintelligible to Maay speakers, except for those who have learned it through mass communications, urbanization, and internal movement. They tend to not travel much. Different sentence structure and phonology from Somali. The Rahanwiin (Rahanweyn) clan confederacy speak various Maay dialects or languages. Af-Helledi is a Maay secret language used by hunters. Used by the Tunni, Jiiddu, Garre and Dabarre as second language. Muslim.
MUSHUNGULU (KIMUSHUNGULU, MUSHUNGULI) [XMA] 20,000 to 50,000 (1992). Southern Somalia, Jamaame District of Lower Jubba Region, centered in Jamaame District, and some in urban areas in nearby Kismaayo and in Muqdisho. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Zigula-Zaramo (G.30). They do not mingle with other peoples of Somalia, so the women do not learn Somali. The men learn Maay or Somali as second language. Descended from fugitive slaves who escaped from their Somali masters in the Middle Shabeelle region around 1840. In northeast Tanzania, they were called 'WaZegua' (see Zigula). May be the same as, or intelligible with, Zigula or Shambaa. Agriculturalists. Muslim, traditional religion. Survey needed.
OROMO, BORANA-ARSI-GUJI (SOUTHERN OROMO) [GAX] 3,809,000 or more in all countries; 3,657,000 in Ethiopia; 152,000 in Kenya (1994). Gedo Region. Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Oromo. Dialect: BORANA (BOORAN, BORAN). The Oromo variety in Gedo is probably Borana; that in the Lower Jubba Region is probably Orma. Muslim. Bible 1995. NT 1875-1979. Bible portions 1870-1966.
SOMALI (AF-SOOMAALI, AF-MAXAAD TIRI, COMMON SOMALI, STANDARD SOMALI) [SOM] 5,400,000 to 6,700,000 in Somalia (1991); 2,050,000 in Ethiopia (1993); 312,339 in Kenya (1989); 181,420 in Djibouti (1996); 290,000 in Yemen (1993); 100,000 in United Arab Emirates (1993); 1,300 in Finland; 8,335,000 in all countries. Also in Saudi Arabia, Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom. Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali. Dialects: NORTHERN SOMALI, BENAADIR, AF-ASHRAAF (ASHRAAF). The language of most of the people of the country. Northern Somali is the basis for Standard Somali. It is readily intelligible by speakers of Benaadir Somali, but difficult or unintelligible to Maay and Digil speakers, except for those who have learned it through mass communications, urbanization, and internal movement. The Rahanwiin (Rahanweyn) are a large clan confederacy in southern Somalia, speaking various Maay dialects or languages (Central Somali). The Digil are a clan confederacy speaking Central Somali varieties. Daarood is a large clan family in northeast Somalia and the Ogaadeen region of Ethiopia, extreme southern Somalia and northeast Kenya which speaks several different dialects. Dir is a clan family with various clans in Djibouti, Ethiopia, throughout Somalia and northeast Kenya. The Gadabuursi are a section of the Dir living in northwest Somalia and adjoining parts of Djibouti and Ethiopia, and speaking Northern Common Somali. The Isxaaq are a major clan grouping in northest Somalia, some in Djibouti and Ethiopia, speaking Northern Common Somali. The Hawiye are a major clan family living in central southern Somalia, parts of Ethiopia, and extreme northeast Kenya. Hawiye northern clans (Habar Gidir) speak a dialect of Common Somali similar to the adjacent Daarood clans, while Hawiye southern clans (especially Abgaal and Gaaljaal) speak the Benaadir dialect of Common Somali. Ogaadeen is the largest clan within the Daarood clan family, living in eastern Ethiopia, extreme southern Somalia and northeast Kenya, speaking various forms of Northern Common Somali. 'Sab' is an ambiguous term used by some scholars to refer to various lower caste clans. 'Medibaan' is a low caste clan within the Hawiye. 'Benaadir' as an ethnic group refers to the residents of the coastal cities. Those in Merka and Muqdisho who speak Af-Ashraaf, a distinct variety which may have limited inherent intelligibility with Standard Somali. (Most of these fled to Kenya because of the current fighting.) Standard Somali is used in primary education. The government adopted the Roman script in 1972. The Osmania script is no longer used. 25% literacy in cities, 10% in rural areas. Grammar, dictionary. National language. Pastoralists; agriculturalists: sugar, bananas, sorghum, corn, gum, incense; miners: iron, tin, gypsum, bauxite, uranium. Muslim, Christian. Bible 1979. NT 1972-1976. Bible portions 1915-1935.
SWAHILI [SWA] 40,000 Baraawe in Somalia (1992); 5,000,000 total first language speakers (1989 Holm); 30,000,000 total second language speakers (1989 Holm). The Mwini live in Baraawe (Brava), Lower Shabeelle, and were scattered in cities and towns of southern Somalia. Most have fled to Kenya because of the civil war. The Bajun live in Kismaayo District and the neighboring coast. Also in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Mayotte, South Africa, Mozambique, Oman, UAE, and USA. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.40). Dialects: MWINI (MWIINI, CHIMWIINI, AF-CHIMWIINI, BARWAANI, BRAVANESE), BAJUNI (KIBAJUNI, BAJUN, AF-BAJUUN, MBALAZI, CHIMBALAZI). Reported to have come centuries ago from Zanzibar. Mwini: artisans (leather goods); Bajun: fishermen. Bible 1891-1996. NT 1879-1989. Bible portions 1868-1968.
TUNNI (AF-TUNNI) [TQQ] 20,000 to 60,000 (1992). Lower Shabeelle and Middle Jubba regions, Dhiinsoor, Baraawe, and Jilib districts. Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali. A distinct language from Somali or Jiiddu, usually grouped under the Digil dialects or languages. Different sentence structure and phonology from Somali. Maay language influences. Nomadic. Pastoralists: cattle, sheep, goats. Muslim. Survey needed.
________________________________________
Languages of Somalia
See language map.
[See also SIL publications on the languages of Somalia.]
Somali Democratic Republic, Jamhuriyadda Dimugradiga Somaliya. Formerly British and Italian Somaliland. 8,304,601. National or official languages: Somali, Standard Arabic, English. Most of the Arabic and all of the people from India and Italy have left. Literacy rate: 24% to 40% (1977 C.M. Brann). Information mainly from B.W. Andrzejewski 1975, 1978; D. Biber 1984; M. Lamberti 1986; A.O. Mansur 1986; K. Menkhaus 1989. Blind population: 10,000 (1982 WCE). The number of languages listed for Somalia is 13. Of those, all are living languages.
Living languages
Arabic, Standard [arb] Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
More information.

Boni [bob] Few if any speakers in Somalia (1991). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Rendille-Boni
More information.

Boon [bnl] 59 (2000 WCD). Jilib District, Middle Jubba Region, scattered in the bush and live in settlements of 2 or 3 houses with their closest relatives. Alternate names: Af-Boon. Dialects: There are similarities to Somali. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East Nearly extinct.
More information.

Dabarre [dbr] 26,753 (2000 WCD). Spoken by the Dabarre clan around Dhiinsoor District, May Region, and the Iroole Clan in nearby Baraawe District, Lower Shabeelle Region, and in Qansax Dheere. Alternate names: Af-Dabarre. Dialects: Dabarre, Iroole (Af-Iroole). A very distinctive language in the Digil clan family. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
More information.

English [eng] Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
More information.

Garre [gex] 50,000 (1992). Ethnic population: Possibly several hundred thousand in the ethnic group (1992). Dominate areas of southern Somalia, especially in the Wanle Weyn-Buur Hakaba area; Baydhaba, Dhiinsoor, Buurhakaba, and Qoryooley districts; Middle and Lower Shabeelle and Bay regions. Alternate names: Af-Garre. Dialects: Reported to be linguistically close to Boni. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
More information.

Jiiddu [jii] 29,726 (2000 WCD). Lower Shabeelle Bay and Middle Jubba regions, Qoryooley, Dhiinsoor, Jilib, and Buurhakaba districts. Alternate names: Jiddu, Af-Jiiddu. Dialects: A distinct language from Somali and Tunni, usually grouped under the Digil dialects or languages. Different sentence structure and phonology from Somali. Closer to Somali than to Baiso. Some similarities to Konsoid languages and to Gedeo, Alaba, Hadiyya, and Kambaata. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
More information.

Maay [ymm] 594,520 (2000 WCD). 700,000 to 1,500,000 including the Digil dialects or languages. Southern Somalia, Gedo Region, Middle and Lower Shabeelle, Middle and Lower Jubba, Baay, and Bakool regions. Alternate names: Af-Maay Tiri, Af-Maay, Af-May, Af-Maymay, Rahanween, Rahanweyn. Dialects: Af-Helledi. It may be more than one language; the dialects form a continuum. Standard Somali is difficult or unintelligible to Maay speakers, except for those who have learned it through mass communications, urbanization, and internal movement. Different sentence structure and phonology from Somali. The Rahanwiin (Rahanweyn) clan confederacy speak various Maay dialects or languages. Af-Helledi is a Maay secret language used by hunters. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
More information.

Mushungulu [xma] 20,000 to 50,000 (1992). Southern Somalia, Jamaame District of Lower Jubba Region, centered in Jamaame District, and some in urban areas in nearby Kismaayo and in Muqdisho. Alternate names: Kimushungulu, Mushunguli. Dialects: May be the same as, or intelligible with, Zigula or Shambaa. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Zigula-Zaramo (G.30)
More information.

Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji [gax] 41,616 in Somalia (2000 WCD). Gedo Region. Alternate names: Southern Oromo. Dialects: Borana (Booran, Boran). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Oromo
More information.

Somali [som] 7,784,434 in Somalia (2000 WCD). Population total all countries: 12,653,480. Throughout the country. Also spoken in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Finland, Italy, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Yemen. Alternate names: Af-Soomaali, Af-Maxaad Tiri, Common Somali, Standard Somali. Dialects: Northern Somali, Benaadir, Af-Ashraaf (Ashraaf). Northern Somali is the basis for Standard Somali. It is readily intelligible to speakers of Benaadir Somali, but difficult or unintelligible to most Maay and Digil speakers. Those in Merka and Muqdisho speak Af-Ashraaf, a distinct variety which may have limited inherent intelligibility to speakers of Standard Somali. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
More information.

Swahili [swh] 40,000 in Somalia (1992). The Mwini live in Baraawe (Brava), Lower Shabeelle, and were scattered in cities and towns of southern Somalia. Most have fled to Kenya because of the civil war. The Bajun live in Kismaayo District and the neighboring coast. Dialects: Mwini (Mwiini, Chimwiini, Af-Chimwiini, Barwaani, Bravanese), Bajuni (Kibajuni, Bajun, Af-Bajuun, Mbalazi, Chimbalazi). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.40)
More information.

Tunni [tqq] 29,726 (2000 WCD). Lower Shabeelle and Middle Jubba regions, Dhiinsoor, Baraawe, and Jilib districts. Alternate names: Af-Tunni. Dialects: Distinct from Somali or Jiiddu, usually grouped under the Digil dialects or languages. Different sentence structure and phonology from Somali. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
More information.






Somali and Oromo languages

In the last few years, I have more been fascinated by the close relationships between the Somali and Oromo languages. In fact, after doing some little research, I have come to the conclusion that the two sister languages share in about 35-40 per cent of the words that have same roots.

I knew the Oromo language, along with Afar and Rendille -- a proto-Somali offshoot clan called Reer Diinle in Somali, who still retain much of their original Somali language) -- I knew that those languages were the closest to Somali language, but never knew it was this close.

Read on to see what I had found. For example, the Somali language itself, in Somali it is called Afsoomaali, which seems to be the same in Oromo, being Afan Oromo. (Also the Somali word "af" can also mean mouth, which I believe it is has the same meaing in Oromo language.)

[PS. Your corrections is welcomed if I made some mistakes. And if the "Galla" word is offendsive to some, my apologies.]
---------------

Meaning: 'say' or 'shout'

Soomaali: iyaa [yaah]

Oromo (Galla): iyya
---------

Meaning: 'crockodile'

Soomaali: yaxaas

Oromo (Boni): yahaas

Rendille (Reer Diinle): yahasi
---------

Meaning: 'wild dog'

Soomaali: yeey

Oromo (Galla): yeeyii

Oromo (Boni): yeye

Rendille: yaay
---------

Meaning: 'light'

Soomaali: if/iftiin

Oromo (Galla): ifa
-----------

Meaning: 'long hair'

Soomaali: dab

Oromo (Galla): daabee
----------

Meaning: 'back'

Soomaali: dhabar

Oromo: daban
-----------

Meaning: 'young bull'

Soomaali: dibbi

Oromo (Galla): dib-icca
-----------

Meaning: 'man' [calling a man]

Soomaali: waryaa [waraa]

Oromo (Galla): warra
--------

Meaning: 'call, invite'

Soomaali: waani/waano

Oromo (Galla): waama
-----------

Meaning: 'hyena'

Soomaali: waraabe

Oromo (Galla): warab-esa

Rendille: waraba
-------------

Meaning: 'boy' or 'child'

Soomaali: wiil

Oromo (Boni): weel
----------

Meaning: 'son, brother'

Soomaali: walaal

Rendille: walal
------------

Meaning: 'rhinoceros'

Soomaali: wiyil

Rendille: weyel
--------

Meaning: 'fruit of cactus'

Soomaali: tin [tiintiin]

Oromo (Galla): tini
-----------

Meaning: 'spit'

Soomaali: tuf

Oromo (Galla): tufe
------------

Meaning: 'beat'

Soomaali: tun [tuma dadkaas]

Oromo (Galla): tuma

Rendille: tum
---------

Meaning: 'she-goat'

Soomaali: ri'

Oromo (Galla): ree
-----------

Meaning: 'follow'

Soomaali: raac

Oromo (Boni): raa'

Rendille: raah
----------

Meaning: 'run'

Soomaali: orod

Oromo (Boni): irid

Rendille: irid
-----------

Meaning: 'womb, uterus' or 'pregnant (of animals)'

Soomaali: rimay, riman

Oromo (Galla): riimaa

Rendille: rim
-----------

Meaning: 'rain'

Soomaali: roob

Oromo (Galla): rooba

Oromo (Boni): roob
-----------

Meaning: 'cow'

Soomaali: sac

Oromo (Galla): saa'
---------

Meaning: 'lungs'

Soomaali: sambab

Oromo (Galla): somba
---------

Meaning: 'cripple'

Soomaali: naafa

Oromo (Galla): naafa
---------

Meaning: 'breath' or 'soul' or 'life

Somali: naf [soul] or neef [breath]

Oromo (Boni): nef
----------

Meaning: 'man'

Soomaali: nin [niman]

Oromo (Galla): nama
----------

Meaning: 'breath' or 'breathe'

Soomaali: neefso

Oromo (Boni): neefso

Rendille: nefsi/nefso
----------

Meaning: 'live long'

Soomaali: raage

Oromo (Galla): raaga
---------

Meaning: 'elephant'

Soomaali: maroodi

Oromo (Galla): marode
---------

Meaning: 'be drunk'

Soomaali: [ma cabee], cabid

Oromo (Galla): macaw
----------

Meaning: 'family' or people

Soomaali: maati [people]

Oromo (Galla): maatii [family]
---------

Meaning: 'manger' or 'home'

Soomaali: moora ['animal shelter'], old homes

Oromo (Galla): moora
----------

Meaning: 'herd of cows'

Soomaali: lo'

Oromo (Galla): loon

Rendille: loolyo
--------

Meaning: 'hen'

Soomaali: luki [lost word, now dooro]

Oromo (Galla): lukku
---------

Meaning: 'leg, hip'

Soomaali: lug

Oromo (Galla): luka, lukaa

Rendille: lux
----------

Meaning: 'name'

Soomaali: magac

Oromo (Galla): maqa

Rendille: magaca
----------

Meaning: 'house'

Soomaali: minan

Oromo (Galla): mana, manaa

Oromo (Boni): min
---------

Meaning: 'bone'

Soomaali: laf

Oromo (Galla): lafe
---------

Meaning: 'companion, relative'

Soomaali: lammaan

Oromo (Galla): lammii
-----------

Meaning: 'heart' or 'chest

Soomaali: lab [heart]

Oromo (Galla): labb [chest]
-----------

Meaning: 'swallow'

Soomaali: liqid

Oromo (Galla): liqim
-----------

Meaning: 'foreskin' [dead skin]

Somali: qolof

Oromo (Galla): qolofa
---------

Meaning: 'cold'

Somali: qaboow

Oromo (Galla): qabbanawa

Rendille: qobo
----------

Meaning: 'young female camel'

Somali: qaalin

Rendille: qaalim
----------

Meaning: to bite

Somali: qaniin

Oromo (Galla): qinina
------------

Meaning: 'high mountain, summit'

Somali: qar [qarka]

Oromo (Galla): qara

------------
Meaning: Father




Somali: Aabo, Aabe



Oromo: Abbaa



--



Meaning: Son



Somali: Ilmo



Oromo: Ilma



--



Meaning: Mother



Somali: Hooyo



Oromo: Haadha



--



Meaning: Daughter



Somali: Inan, Inantaa



Oromo: Intala



--



Meaning: Man, Men, People



Somali: Niman



Oromo: Nama



--



Meaning: Five



Somali: Shan



Oromo: Shan



---



Meaning: Teach



Somali: Bar



Oromo: Bar



teacher = barsiiso



--



Meaning: Year, time



Somali: Waa, Waaga



Oromo: Waggaa



--



Meaning: The man, the men



Somali: Ninka, Nimanka



Oromo: Namicha



--



Meaning: The end, End



Somali: Dhamaad



Oromo: Dhuma



--



Meaning: owns/has



Somali: Qaba



Oromo: Qaba



--



Meaning: Name, [What is] your name?, the name



Somali: Magac, Magacaa?, Magacan



oromo: Maqaa, Maqaan



--



Meaning: Mouth, Language



Somali: Af



Oromo: Af[aan]



--



Meaning: I



Somali: Ani, Ani[ga]



Oromo: Ani



--



Meaning: You



Somali: Adi, Aid[ga]



Oromo: Ati



--



Meaning: He



Somali: Isa[ga]



Oromo: Isa



--



Meaning: You have



Somali: Qabtaa



Oromo: Qabda



--



Meaning: We Enter



Somali: Gallay



Oromo: Galla



--



Meaning: We learn



Somali: Baranaa



Oromo: Barra



--



Meaning: Ears, listen



Somali, Dhego, Dhegayso



Oromo: Dhagga, Dhageessa



--



Meaning: Go/get up



Somali: Kac, Ka'



Oromo: Ka'



--



Menaing: Break, Break to pieces



Somali: Chab (Jab), Chachab (jajab)



Oromo: Cab, Cacab


Tall= Dheer  Deeri

Good= Gaari Gaari

Help=  Gar gaar

Culture= Aado






Alice LINDSAY THANKS. As Cushitic speaker I could assume that Gurgur in Somali means one who collects things and in this case one who is a business person. The other close word in Gurgur means on who moves from one place to another. Dur means in Somali forest or a jungle depending on how you use the word I am not a linguist per say but that is the meanings I associate these meanings