Uduk

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A language of Sudan

Alternate Names
Cai, Kamus, Kebeirka, Korara, Kwanim Pa, Othan, Tam
Autonym
Twampa
User Population

22,000 in Sudan and South Sudan (split between the two not known). Few monolinguals (Killian 2015).

Location

Blue Nile state: Kurmuk district, from Belila north, south to Yabus river.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Dialects

Chali, Bellila, Yabus. The 2 northern dialects, Chali and Bellila, differ considerably from Yabus in the south (Killian 2015).

Typology

SVO; case-marking (ergative, accusative, absolutive, genitive, associative); features of both a Nominative-Accusative system and an Ergative-Absolutive system; 55 consonant phonemes (Chali dialect) and 5 vowels; tonal (3 tones); inclusive/exclusive pronouns.

Language Use

Used by all. Some also use Sudanese Spoken Arabic [apd] (Killian 2015). Also use Berta [wti] (Killian 2015). Also use Burun [bdi] (Killian 2015). Also use English [eng], especially the younger generation (Killian 2015). Also use Ganza [gza] (Killian 2015). Also use Jumjum [jum] (Killian 2015). Also use Komo [xom] (Killian 2015). Also use Mabaan [mfz] (Killian 2015). Also use Opo [lgn] (Killian 2015).

Language Development

Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1963–1983.

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

In October 2011, the majority of the Uduk became refugees, moving into camps in South Sudan and Ethiopia, where they remain. The future remains very much uncertain in terms of where they will settle (Killian 2015).

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