Rundi

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A language of Burundi

ISO 639-3
run
Alternate Names
Hima, Kirundi, Urundi
Autonym
Ikirundi
User Population

10,420,000 in Burundi (2017), increasing. 4,000,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 10,000,000. Total users in all countries: 11,253,950.

Location

Widespread.

Language Maps
Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2005, Constitution, Article 5).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Ruanda-Rundi (D.62)
Dialects

Ikibo, Ikirundi, Ikiragane, Igisoni, Ikinyabweru, Ikiyogoma, Ikimoso (Urumoso). All dialects except Twa are reportedly very similar to each other and to Kinyarwanda [kin].

Language Use

Hima is an ethnic group speaking Rundi or Rwanda [kin]. Home, work, official. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Swahili [swh].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 55%. Taught in all primary and secondary schools in grades 1–4 and as subject thereafter. Literature. Newspapers. Periodicals. Radio. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1967.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Rundi
Writing

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

Other Comments

Ethnic groups: Hutu 80%–85%, Tutsi 14%–15%, Twa (Gesera, Pygmy) 1% (30,000; Barrett 1982). Christian.

Also spoken in:

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