Kinyarwanda

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A language of Rwanda

ISO 639-3
kin
Alternate Names
Hima, Orunyarwanda, Ruanda, Rwanda, Rwandan, Urunyaruanda
Autonym
Ikinyarwanda
User Population

11,600,000 in Rwanda (2018 J. Leclerc). Total users in all countries: 13,133,980.

Language Maps
Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2003, Constitution, Article 8).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Ruanda-Rundi (D.61)
Dialects

Igikiga (Igishiru, Ikigoyi, Kiga, Tshiga), Bufumbwa, Hutu (Hera, Lera, Ndara, Ndogo, Shobyo, Tshogo, Ululera), Rutwa (Twa), Gitwa, Ikinyanduga. Mutually intelligible with Rundi [run].

Typology

SVO; 16 noun classes; no articles; verb affixes mark person, number; tense and aspect; 24 consonant and 5 vowel phonemes; tonal.

Language Development

Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1954–1993.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kinyarwanda
Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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