There are still many people who claim the Mesmes ethnic identity, but none who speak the language.
He had not spoken the language for 30 years, having nobody to speak it with since his brother died.
However, they still maintain some cultural distinctives, including their own style of house architecture.
[citation needed] The comparative method has shown that the language is most closely related to the Inor variety of Gurage.
[2] A study of the phonology of Mesmes has shown evidence of rhinoglottophilia.