Langi

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
lag
Alternate Names
Irangi, Kelangi, Kilaangi, Kilangi, Kirangi, Rangi, Valaangi
Autonym
Kɨlaangi, Langi
User Population

371,000 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009), increasing. 38,000 monolinguals.

Location

Dodoma region: Kondoa district; Manyara region: some south. Urban groups in Arusha, Babati, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mwanza, Singida, and Tanga regions.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, F, Nilamba-Rangi (F.33)
Dialects

Kondoa, Haubi, Kolo, Mondo, Busi. Limited comprehension of other languages. Lexical similarity: 74% with Mbugwe [mgz], 49% with Nyaturu [rim] and Sukuma [suk], 48% with Nyamwezi [nym], 47% with Kimbu [kiv] and Nilamba [nim], 40% with Sumbwa [suw].

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, market, local meetings. Used by all. Positive attitudes, but Swahili [swh] preferred in public settings. Most also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Alagwa [wbj], Burunge [bds].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: About 50% moderately fluent in Swahili [swh]. Swahili official language for education. Langi used for explanations. L1 literacy program in place. Literature. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 2007–2012.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Langi
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Influenced by Cushitic languages. The Swahili pronounce Langi as Rangi. Other language groups (eg. Burunge [bds], Alagwa [wbj]) are being assimilated into Langi language and culture. Muslim, Christian.