Alternate Names: Datog, Datoga, “Mangati” (pej.), Tatog, Tatoga, Taturu
Dialects: Bajuta (Bajuuta), Barabayiiga (Barabaig, Barabaik, Barabayga, Barbaig), Bianjiida (Biyanjiida, Utatu), Buraadiiga (Buradiga, Bureadiga), Gisamjanga (Gisamjang, Kisamajeng), Rootigaanga (Rotigeenga, Rotigenga), Tsimajeega (Isimijeega). Sabaot , is probably most similar. Barabaik and Kisamajeng dialects are very similar and are completely inherently intelligible. There are several other dialects or ethnic groups: Darorajega, Gidang’odiga, Bisiyeda, Daragwajega, Salawajega, Ghumbiega, and Mangatiga. Lexical similarity: 50% with Kalenjin , languages and Omotik , of Kenya.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 87,800 (2000).
Language Use: Vigorous. All ages. Also use Iraqw [irk], Lambya [lai], Nyaturu [rim], Swahili [swh].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 1%. NT: 2009.
Typology: VSO; prepositions; genitives, articles, adjectives, numerals after noun heads; question word final; 4 prefixes, 5 suffixes on verb; case marked by tone; verb affixes mark person, number; (C)(C)V(:), VC; tonal.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Tanzania
Other Comments: ‘Mangati’ or ‘Ole-Mangati’ is Maasai, enemies. Taturu is the Sukuma name. There is intermarriage with the Iraqw. Datooga orthography is different from Swahili ,. Traditional religion, Christian.