Bussa language

language
name=Bussa
nativename=Mossittaata
states=Ethiopia
region=Dirashe special woreda, Southern Ethiopia
speakers=6,624
familycolor=Afro-Asiatic
fam2=Cushitic
fam3=East
fam4=Dullay
iso1=om|iso2=
iso3=dox

Bussa (also known as Muusiye, Dobase, D'oopace, D'opaasunte, Lohu, Mashile, Mashelle, Masholle, Mosiye, Musiye, Gobeze, Gowase, Goraze, Orase) is an East Cushitic language spoken in the Dirashe special woreda of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region located in southern Ethiopia. The people themselves, numbering 6,624 according to the 1998 census, call their language "Mossittaata". Two varieties can be distinguished: North and West Bussa.

Bussa is highly influenced by surrounding Cushitic and Omotic languages and should be considered endangered according to Gurmu (2005). Speakers of the North Bussa variety are shifting to Oromo, Kidole (Diraytata) or Amharic, whereas speakers of the West Bussa variety are shifting to the Omotic languages Zargulla, Zayse and Gamo. Important factors for the ongoing language shift include intermarriage with other ethnic groups and heavy contact with neighbouring people.

References

*Gurmu, Alemayehu [2005] 'Some Notes on Sociolinguistic Aspects of Bussa' (unpublished paper presented at "International Conference on Endangered Ethiopian Languages", Addis Ababa 27-30 April 2005)
*Wedekind, Klaus (ed.) (2002) 'Sociolinguistic survey report of the languages of the Gawwada (Dullay), Diraasha (Gidole), Muusiye (Bussa) areas.' [http://www.sil.org/silesr/abstract.asp?ref=2002-065 SIL Electronic Survey Reports 2002-065] .

External links

* [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=dox Ethnologue report on Bussa] .