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Comorian language

NameComorian
NativenameShikomor
FamilycolorNiger-Congo
StatesComoros and Mayotte
RegionThroughout Comoros and Mayotte; also in Madagascar and Réunion
Speakers350,702 (2004)
Fam2Atlantic � Congo
Fam3Benue � Congo
Fam4Bantoid
Fam5Bantu
Fam6Northeast Coast Bantu
Fam7Sabaki
Fam8Swahili
Lc1zdj|ld1=Ngazidja dialect|ll1=none
Lc2wni|ld2=Ndzwani dialect|ll2=none
Lc3swb|ld3=Maore Comorian|ll3=Shimaore
Lc4wlc|ld4=Mwali dialect|ll4=none

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Comorian (Shikomor) is the most widely used language on the Comoros (independent islands in the Indian Ocean, off Mozambique and Madagascar) and Mayotte. It is a set of Swahili dialects but with a much stronger Arabic influence than standard Swahili. Each island has a different dialect; that of Anjouan is called Shindzuani, that of Mohéli Shimwali, that of Mayotte Shimaore, and that of Grande Comore Shingazija. No official alphabet existed in 1992, but Arabic and Latin scripts were both used.

Shimasiwa is another name for Comorian, meaning "language of islands". It is the language of Udzima wa ya Masiwa, the national anthem.


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