Map and classification of the Omo-Tana languages (the language group Somali is in), OC (Revised)

[NidarNidar]

Northern Somali dialects is more similar to Saho and Afar in some ways, because they gained certain sounds/prounciations thats is missing in the southern dialects and Oromo. Which if i recall correctly M.Nuuh attributes to sustained contact with their afro-asiatic speaking red sea neighbors.


But yeah the Omo-Tana Theory is bunk Somalis which also include southerners originated in the northern part.

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Keep in mind the actual name of northern Somali dialect is Maxaa Tiri, so the people haven't change, but sadly much of the history has not been documented.

 

[Midas]

I really think the idea that the riverine dialects persevere more archaic features is something that has to be scrutinized. I use to accept it uncritically. But isn't it weird people talk about northern somali being influenced by Arabic or other languages when basically almost every foeriegn pouplation that moved to somalia lives in the riverine region. How would it be possible for a place where you have literally hundreds of thosuands of bantus, arabs, Benadiri, bravanese and assimilated oromos to persevere a more archaic dialect.

We really should start with the assumption that these riverine dialects are all highly divergent. Its clear in the Arab example how nomadic pouplations would preserve a more archaic form of the language since they had less contact with outsiders.