Nyankore

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A language of Uganda

ISO 639-3
nyn
Alternate Names
Nkole, Nyankole, Olunyankole, Runyankole, Ulunyankole, Ulunyankore
Autonym
Runyankore
User Population

3,420,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Includes 152,000 Hororo and 49,000 Runyaruguru (2014 census). Total users in all countries: 3,433,000.

Location

Bushenyi district: Ishaka municipality; Ibanda, Isingiro, Kabale, Kamwenge, Kasese, Kiruhura, Mbarara, Ntungamo, and Rubirizi districts.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Bushenyi, Mbarara, Ntungamo districts.

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Nyoro-Ganda (E.13)
Dialects

Hororo, Hima, Runyaruguru. Hima dialect may be a separate language similar to Tuku [ttj] and Hema [nix] in Democratic Republic of Congo. Lexical similarity: 78%–96% between Nyankore, Nyoro [nyo], and their dialects; 84%–94% with Chiga [cgg], 75%–86% with Tooro (Nyoro) [nyo], 81% with Zinza [zin], 78% with Nyambo [now], 74% with Haya [hay], 68% with Kerewe [ked].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Chiga [cgg]. Most also use English [eng]. Some also use Ganda [lug]. Used as L2 by Chiga [cgg].

Language Development

Taught in primary schools through grade 3. Taught as subject in some secondary schools, as Runyakitaara, sharing materials with Chiga [cgg]. Literature. Newspapers. Periodicals. Radio. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1964–1989.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nyankore
Writing

Latin script [Latn], used since 1964.

Other Comments

Standardized form of the western languages (Nyankore-Chiga and Nyoro-Tooro) is called Runyakitara taught at the University and used in internet browsing, but is a hybrid language. Ethnic groups: Bahima, Bairu. Christian.

Also spoken in:

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