Alternate Names: Af-Maxaad Tiri, Af-Soomaali, Common Somali, Soomaaliga, Standard Somali
Dialects: Af-Ashraaf (Ashraaf), Benaadir, Northern Somali. Northern Somali is basis for standard Somali. Readily intelligible to Benaadir Somali speakers, but difficult or unintelligible to most Maay ,. Those in Merka and Muqdisho speak Af-Ashraaf, a distinct variety which may have limited inherent intelligibility of standard Somali.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 6,460,000 in Somalia (2002). Population total all countries: 14,679,300.
Language Use: Language of most of the people of the country. Also use Italian [ita], Standard Arabic [arb].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 25% in cities, 10% rural. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. New media. Radio programs. Films. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1979.
Typology: SOV.
Spoken In: Somalia
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Somalia, Somaliland
Other Comments: Muslim.