Sidama language facts for kids

Sidama or Sidaamu Afoo is a language spoken in Ethiopia. It belongs to a large group of languages called Afro-Asiatic. More specifically, it's part of the Cushitic family, in the Highland East Cushitic branch.

The Sidama people speak this language. Most speakers live in the Sidama National Regional State in southern Ethiopia. The people who speak Sidama call their language Sidaamu Afoo. In the Amharic language, it's called Sidaminya.

Sidama doesn't have many known dialects. However, it is similar to other languages in southwestern Ethiopia. For example, it shares many words with Alaba-K'abeena (64% similar) and Kambaata (62% similar). It's also 53% similar to Hadiyya.

About 100,000 people speak Sidama as a second language. For those who speak it as their first language, about 1% to 5% can read and write it. For second language speakers, this number is higher, around 20%. Until 1993, Sidama was written using an Ethiopic script. Since then, it has used a Latin script, which is similar to the English alphabet.

The name Sidamo has sometimes been used more broadly. It can refer to a larger group of languages that sound similar. A study in 1968-1969 found that Sidama is very close to the Gedeo language. These two languages share a border and about 60% of their words. The Sidama language has also borrowed some words from the Oromo language.

How Sidama Sounds

Consonant Sounds

The Sidama language uses many different consonant sounds. Some of these sounds are made by blocking air completely, like 'p' or 't'. Others are made by letting air flow through, like 'f' or 's'.

Sidama also has special sounds called 'ejective' and 'implosive' consonants. Ejective sounds are made by pushing air out quickly from your throat. Implosive sounds are made by sucking air in.

Many consonants in Sidama can be 'geminated'. This means the sound is held for a longer time, like saying 'tt' instead of 't'. For example, the 'r' sound can be a quick tap, but when geminated, it sounds more like a rolled 'r'.

Vowel Sounds

Sidama has five main vowel sounds: 'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'. Each of these vowels can be short or long. A long vowel sound is held for a bit longer than a short one.

How Sidama Works

Noun Phrases

In Sidama, a noun phrase doesn't always need a noun. This happens when it's clear what the speaker is talking about. For example, you might just use an adjective or a number. The adjective or number will change to match the gender and number of the thing it refers to.

Here are some examples:

• The smart one (masculine) came.
• The three (masculine) came.

Another way to make a noun phrase without a noun is by using a special word part called a noun-phrase clitic (NPC). This NPC starts with 't' for feminine things or 'h' for masculine things. It's thought to come from old words that pointed to things.

The NPC changes its form based on the gender of the thing and how the noun phrase is used in the sentence. When an NPC is used, both the speaker and listener know what is being talked about. The NPC usually attaches to the end of a genitive noun phrase (which shows possession, like 'his' or 'hers') or a relative clause.

Here are some examples:

• His (feminine) disappeared.
• I (masculine) repaired that boy’s (feminine).

See also

• In Spanish: Idioma sidamo para niños