1. Some general problems of language geography Ljuba Veselinova Dept of Linguistics, Stockholm University ljuba@ling.su.se Language Catalogue Workshop Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology June 28, 2007, Leipzig, Germany

2. Outline of the presentation Language composition of modern cities Language composition of modern cities Mapping the distribution of non-sedentary peoples and their languages Mapping the distribution of non-sedentary peoples and their languages

3. Outline of the problem The language distribution in urban areas tends to be absent in traditional language atlases The language distribution in urban areas tends to be absent in traditional language atlases Yet Yet 46% of the world population lives in urban areas (Demographia, www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf) 46% of the world population lives in urban areas (Demographia, www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf)www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf 1203 urban areas with more than 500,000 inhabitants in 164 countries and territories 1203 urban areas with more than 500,000 inhabitants in 164 countries and territories Urban areas tend to be multi-lingual Urban areas tend to be multi-lingual  Ignoring the linguistic composition of urban areas gives us a skewed picture of the language distribution around the world

4. Mapping languages in cities is contingent on various kinds of census where the quality would differ depending on various kinds of census where the quality would differ depending on The questions asked by the census volonteers The questions asked by the census volonteers The kind of information that is made public The kind of information that is made public

7. Main Groups of Questions asked by the Canadian census First language learned in childhood First language learned in childhood Language(s) understood and spoken at home Language(s) understood and spoken at home Language(s) used with friends Language(s) used with friends Language(s) used until age of 15 Language(s) used until age of 15 With parents With parents With siblings With siblings Knowledge of official and non-official languages of Canada Knowledge of official and non-official languages of Canada Language(s) used at work (added 2001) Language(s) used at work (added 2001) Language most often used at work Language most often used at work Any other language(s) used on a regular basis at the workplace Any other language(s) used on a regular basis at the workplace

10. General info on non-sedentary languages Based on the Ethnologue 15 Based on the Ethnologue 15 Nomadic languages Nomadic languages 70 languages from 24 stocks 70 languages from 24 stocks Total population: 24 590 376 people Total population: 24 590 376 people Semi-nomadic languages Semi-nomadic languages 42 languages from 23 stocks 42 languages from 23 stocks Total population: ca 12 775 685 people Total population: ca 12 775 685 people

14. Some general facts about Oromo Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic Ca 10 mln speakers in Ethiopia and Kenya Ca 10 mln speakers in Ethiopia and Kenya 70, 869 in Kenya according to the 1969 census 70, 869 in Kenya according to the 1969 census ca 100,000 to 150,000 in Kenya (Stroomer 1995) ca 100,000 to 150,000 in Kenya (Stroomer 1995) Status Status Unclear in Ethiopia Unclear in Ethiopia Actively used in Kenya, radio station(s) in Oromo, other ethnic groups switch to Oromo (Dahl 1979, Stroomer 1995) Actively used in Kenya, radio station(s) in Oromo, other ethnic groups switch to Oromo (Dahl 1979, Stroomer 1995)

18. Boraana

21. Garissa Wajir