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Encyclopedia > Comorian

Comorian (Shikomor) is the most widely used language on the Comoros (independent islands in the Indian Ocean, off Mozambique and Madagascar).


It is a close relative of Swahili with a very strong Arabic influence, and is one of the three official languages of the Comoros, next to French and Arabic. Each island has a slightly different dialect; that of Anjouan is called Shindzuani, that of Mohel Shimwali, that of Maore Shimaore, and that of Grand Comoro Shingadzija. No official alphabet existed in 1992, but Arabic and Latin scripts were both used.


It is also the language of Udzima wa ya Masiwa, the national anthem of the moon islands ("al-qamar" is Arabic for "moon").


Bibliography

  • Ahmed-Chamanga, Mohamed. (1992) Lexique Comorien (shindzuani) - Français. Paris: L'Harmattan.
  • Ahmed-Chamanga, Mohamed. (1997) Dictionnaire français-comorien (dialecte Shindzuani). Paris: L'Harmattan.
  • Johansen, Aimee. A History of Comorian Linguistics. in John M. Mugane (ed.), Linguistic Typology and Representation of African Languages. Africa World Press. Trenton, New Jersey.

External links

  • Comorian at Ethnologue (http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=SWB)
  • Shingazidja (http://www.chez.com/shingazidja/)
  • Shimaore

  Results from FactBites:
 
Comoros Maritime Administration ™ (719 words)
In recent decades the population was increased by the forced evacuation of Comorians from Madagascar and Zanzibar.
Comorian is typical of a Bantu language with a large number of noun classes and an elaborate set of verb tenses and aspects.
Since Comorians have been involved in maritime trade for a thousand years or more, they have come into contact with a number of different peoples and their language reflects this contact.
Comorians of Madagascar -- People Profile (506 words)
Comorians are moving to Madagascar in increasing numbers.
The Comorians speak four dialects of Comorian Swahili and French.
Religion: The religion of the Comorians is Islam with a strong emphasis upon folk and animistic elements.
  More results at FactBites »


 
 

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