Indigenous Language Shift and Maintenance in Shinasha Community

Abstract This paper discusses language shift and maintenance in Shinasha community. The purpose of this study is to assess language shift in Shinasha. More specifically, to identify the factors that lead some of the Shinasha people to use other languages, to show in which domain Shinasha language preferred and to indicate which language Shinasha people prefer in various domains. To collect the necessary data for the study, interview, questionnaire and focus group discussion were used as data collection instruments. The descriptive survey research design was used to conduct this study by using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis. The result showed that demography, economy, psychology and intermarriage are some of the major factors that led Shinasha people to shift from Shinasha to other indigenous languages. Amharic and Afan Oromo are used in various domains by Shinasha youths. On the other hand, a few elders speak Shinasha language. In general, in Shisha community youths prefer Amharic, Afan Oromo and Awngi in various domains bcause of economic, attitudinal, historical, demographic factors.