Sahavoay dialect

Sahavoay is a dialect of the Malagasy language spoken by the Sahavoay ethnic group in Atsimo Atsinanana, Madagascar.

Classification

Sahavoay is part of the Austronesian language family, within the Central-Eastern Malagasic branch. It is further classified under the Plateaux Malagasy and Antefasy–Antemoro subgroups.

Geographical distribution

The Sahavoay dialect is spoken in the communes of Bevoay, Ambohigogo, Maheriraty and Ambohimandroso in the Farafangana district.

Characteristics

Sahavoay is most similar to the Antaifasy dialect, with which it shares many phonological and lexical features.