Alternate Names: Khasa, Xasa
Dialects: Algeden, Beni-Amir, Dahalik, Habab, Mansa’ (Mensa), Semhar, Senhit (Ad-Tekleis, Ad-Temariam, Bet-Juk, Marya Kayah, Mensa). Between dialects (except Dahalik) intelligibility is above 91% (Idris 2005); between Dahalik and the other dialects 24%–51% (Idris 2010). Lexical similarity: 71% with Ge’ez ,, 64% with Tigrigna , (Bender, 1971). Intelligibility of Dahalik undetermined, Tigre dialectical lexical similarity is 86%–97% (Idris 2005); 55%–60% with Dahalik and other Tigre dialects (Idris 2010).
Genealogy:
Demographics: 1,050,000 in Eritrea (2006), increasing.
Language Use: All domains. All ages. Somewhat positive attitudes. Formerly they favored Arabic [arb]. Also use Sudanese Spoken Arabic [apd], Ta’izzi-Adeni Spoken Arabic [acq], Tigrigna [tir]. Used as L2 by Bilen [byn], Nara [nrb], Saho [ssy], Tigrigna [tir].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Females: about 30%. Taught in primary schools. Fully developed. Bible: 1988.
Typology: SOV.
Writing System: Ethiopic
Nation of Origin: Eritrea
Other Comments: Spoken by some Beni-Amer called Lobot. Other ethnic groups are Ad Aha, Geden Sikta, Iddifer, and Teroa Beit Mushe. Believed by some to be the direct linguistic descendant of Ge’ez ,. Incorrectly called Ge’ez. Muslim, Christian.