Chiga

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A language of Uganda

ISO 639-3
cgg
Alternate Names
Bachiga, Bahororo, Bakiga, Ciga, Kiga, Nkore, Nkore-Kiga, Oluchiga, Orukiga, Runyankore-Rukiga
Autonym
Rukiga
User Population

2,390,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Location

Kabale, Kanungu, Kibaale, north Kisoro, Ntungamo, and Rukungiri districts.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Nyoro-Ganda (E.14)
Dialects

RuNyaifwe-Hororo, RuSigi, RuNyangyezi, RuHimba. 72% intelligible with Nyankore [nyn]. Lexical similarity: 84%–94% with Nyankore [nyn], 77% with Nyoro [nyo], 75% with Zinza [zin], 72% with Nyambo [now], 70% with Haya [hay], 68% with Tooro [ttj], 63% with Kerewe [ked].

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, church. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng]. Most also use Nyankore [nyn], which is closely related. A few also use Ganda [lug]. Used as L2 by Fumbira [kin], Nyankore [nyn].

Language Development

Taught in primary schools through grade 3. Taught as subject in some secondary schools, as Runyakitaara, sharing materials with Nyankore [nyn]. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1989.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chiga
Writing

Latin script [Latn], used since 1964.

Other Comments

Standardized form of the western varieties (Nyankore-Chiga and Nyoro-Tooro) is called Runyakitara. It is taught at the University and used in internet browsing, but is a hybrid language. Christian.