Antambahoaka dialect


Antambahoaka is a dialect of Malagasy spoken by the Antambahoaka people in the region of Vatovavy.

Classification

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.

Location

Its geographical range corresponds mainly to the administrative districts of Mananjary and Nosy Varika in the Vatovavy Region in Southeastern Madagascar.

Characteristics

The Antambahoaka dialect shares notable linguistic features with the Northern Tanala and Southern Betsimisaraka.
GlossAntambahoakaNorthern TanalaSouthern Betsimisaraka
oneraikaraikaIraika
Iiahoiahoizaho
we antsenaantsenaantsena
We AhayAhayZahay
onlymiavaomi
allmaro be / abymaro be / abyjiaby
to tellmizakamizakamizaka
aboveagnamboambonyagnambo
nownianenianyniane

Writing System

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.