Nuer

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A language of South Sudan

ISO 639-3
nus
Alternate Names
Naadh
Autonym
Naath
User Population

1,550,000 in South Sudan (2017). Total users in all countries: 1,706,280 (as L1: 1,705,160; as L2: 1,120).

Location

Jonglei state: north of a Jonglei-to-Pibor Post line; Unity state: south of Bentin town; Upper Nile state: Baliet, Lukapin/Nasir, and Ulang counties; small border areas in Lakes, Northern Bahr al Ghazal, and Warrap states.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Satellite-Core, Core, Eastern Sudanic, Southern (n languages), Nilotic, Western, Dinka-Nuer, Nuer
Dialects

Dor (Door), Eastern Jikany (Jekaing, Jikain), Abigar, Western Jikany, Cien, Thognaath (Thok Nath), Lou (Lau), Nyuong, Thiang (Bul, Gawaar, Jagai, Laak, Leik).

Language Use

Used in all churches. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Used as L2 by Southeastern Dinka [dks].

Language Development

Taught as subject in some primary schools through grade 3. The Ministry of Education, supported by donors, has started a pilot project to develop materials for teaching Nuer as a subject and as language of instruction up to grade 3 in some schools. Literature. Dictionary. Bible: 1999.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nuer
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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