Welayta language

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Welayta language (vars: Wolaita, Wolaita, etc., also called Wolayitigna, Wolaitatuwa) is an Omotic language spoken in the Wolaita Zone and some parts of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region of Ethiopia. The number of speakers of this language is estimated at 2,000,000 (1991 UBS); it is the native language of the Welayta people.

Welayta has one identified dialect, Zala.

[edit] Lexical similarity with

• Gamo 79% to 93%
• Gofa 84%
• Kullo 80%
• Korze 80%
• Koorete 48%
• Maale 43%

[edit] Geographical names

Balta, Borodda, Ganta, Otschollo, Uba. Official literary language. 5% to 25% literate. Typology: SOV. Traditional religion, Christian. NT 1981. Bible portions 1934-1943.

[edit] See also

• Welayta