Antambahoaka dialect
| Antambahoaka | |
|---|---|
| Fizakana Antembahôky | |
| Native to | |
| Ethnicity | Antambahoaka |
Native speakers | 118,000[1] |
Austronesian
| |
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | plt |
| Glottolog | anta1260 |
| Linguasphere | 31-LDA-ba |
Antambahoaka ⓘ is a dialect of Malagasy spoken by the Antambahoaka people in the region of Vatovavy.
Classification
[edit]The Antambahoaka dialect is a member of the Austronesian languages family, within the Malayo-Polynesian languages branch. It is part of the Barito languages group, specifically the Eastern Barito subgroup.
Antambahoaka belongs to the Central-Eastern Malagasy dialect cluster and is associated with the Plateau Malagasy division. [2]
Location
[edit]Its geographical range corresponds mainly to the administrative districts of Mananjary and Nosy Varika in the Vatovavy Region in Southeastern Madagascar.[3]
Characteristics
[edit]The Antambahoaka dialect shares notable linguistic features with the Tanala and Southern Betsimisaraka.[4]
| Gloss | Antambahoaka | Tanala | Southern Betsimisaraka |
|---|---|---|---|
| one | raika | raika | Iraika |
| I | iaho | iaho | izaho |
| we (inclusive) | antsena | antsena | antsena |
| We (exclusive) | Ahay | Ahay | Zahay |
| only | mi | avao | mi |
| all | maro be / aby | maro be / aby | jiaby |
| to tell | mizaka | mizaka | mizaka |
| above | agnambo | ambony | agnambo |
| now | niane | niany | niane |
Vocabulary
[edit]| English | Malagasy standard | Antambahoaka |
|---|---|---|
| We/Us | Isika | Antsena |
| Who | Iza | Zovy |
| All | Rehetra | Maro be |
| Also/Only | Ihany koa/Ihany | Mi |
| That | Izay | Zegny |
| Like | Ohatrany | Kara |
| Even | Na | Ndre |
| If | Raha | Raha/Laha |
| After | Aoriana | Afara |
| One | Isa/Iray | Isa/Raika |
| Fruit | Voa | Isiny |
| Jackfruit | Ampalibe | Ampalibe |
| To hide | Afenina | Avony |
| I love/like | Tiako | Teako |
| I don't like/love | Tsy tiako | Tsy teako |
Writing System
[edit]Antambahoaka dialect is one of the Malagasy varieties that were historically written using the Arabic-derived Arabico-Malagasy script, alongside that of the Antemoro and Tanosy. This script was primarily used for magical and divinatory purposes.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Antambahoaka in Madagascar". Joshua Project. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ Réussir vos projets d’affaires en Afrique (in French). Éditions L’Harmattan. 2020. p. 40.
- ^ "Bible Translations". Islands Mission. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Recensements urbains : Ambositra – Ambalavao – Mananjary – Manakara – Farafangana" (PDF). Bibliothèque numérique de la statistique publique (INSEE). p. 32. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ Ferrand, Gabriel (1903). Essai de phonétique comparée du malais et des dialectes malgaches : thèse pour le doctorat d'université (in French). Paris: Ernest Leroux, Libraire-Éditeur. p. 313–314.