Sinyar | |
---|---|
Shemya | |
Native to | Chad |
Ethnicity | Sinyar |
Native speakers | 33,000 (2023)[1] |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | sys |
Glottolog | siny1243 |
Shemya (tàar ʃàmɲà) is the language of the Sinyar people. It is a Central Sudanic language spoken in Chad and formerly in Darfur, Sudan. It is variously spelled Shamya, Shamyan, Shemya, Sinya, and known as Symiarta, Taar Shamyan, Zimirra.
The language is spoken in Goz Beïda, Chad and Foro Boranga, Sudan. There are two level tones and downstepped low tones. Word order is SVO.[2][3]
Dimmendaal leaves it as a language isolate, whereas Blench groups it with Formona.[4]
Doornbos records 18 Sinyar clans. The Kijaar clan, located close to the Kujargé, likely intermarried with the Kujargé.[5]