Nyoro

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A language of Uganda

ISO 639-3
nyo
Alternate Names
Kyopi, Lunyoro
Autonym
Runyoro
User Population

967,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Location

Buliisa, Hoima, Kibaale, Kiryandongo, and Masindi districts; also Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, and Kyenjojo districts east of Lake Albert.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Nyoro-Ganda (E.11)
Dialects

Rutagwenda, Orunyoro (Nyoro). 73% inherent intelligibility with Gungu [rub]. Hema-Sud [nyo] (Nyoro-Toro) in Democratic Republic of the Congo is quite different. Lexical similarity: 78%–93% with Tooro [ttj], 77% with Nyankore [nyn] and Chiga [cgg], 67% with Nyambo [now] and Zinza [zin], 66% with Haya [hay], 62% with Kerewe [ked].

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, market, work. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng]. Most also use Tooro [ttj], especially Rutangwenda speakers. Some also use Ganda [lug]. Used as L2 by Gungu [rub], Ruruuli-Runyala [ruc], Tooro [ttj].

Language Development

Taught in primary schools through grade 3. Taught as subject in some secondary schools, as Runyakitaara, sharing materials with Chiga [cgg] and Nyankore [nyn]. Literature. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1912.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nyoro
Writing

Latin script [Latn], used since 1978.

Other Comments

Standardized form of the western languages (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, traditional religion.