Acholi | Ethnologue

A language of Uganda

ISO 639: ach
Alternate Names: Acoli, Acooli, Akoli, Atscholi, Dok Acoli, Gang, Log Acoli, Lwo, Lwoo, Lëbacoli, Shuli
Autonym: Acholi
Population: 1,500,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Includes 34,200 Dhopaluo (2014 census). Total users in all countries: 1,588,000.
Location:: Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Nwoya, Oyam, and Pader districts.
Language Status: 4 (Educational).
Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Satellite-Core, Core, Eastern Sudanic, Southern (n languages), Nilotic, Western, Luo, Southern, Luo-Acholi, Alur-Acholi, Lango-Acholi
Dialects: Dhopaluo (Chope, Chopi). Reported intelligibility with Lango [laj], Kumam [kdi], Jopadhola [adh], but percentages unknown. Lexical similarity: with Lango [laj], Kumam [kdi], Dhopadhola [adh], Thur [lth].
Typology: 16 consonants, 9 vowels (but only 5 written); tonal.
Language Use: Home, market, church, office. Used by all. Most are young. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng]. Some also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Kuku [ukv], Thur [lth].
Language Development: Taught in primary schools. Taught in secondary schools, as a subject. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1986.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Acholi
Writing: Latin script [Latn], used since 1947.
Other Comments: Christian.