Page Type: languageChiga | Ethnologue

CGG ISO 639-3

Chiga

Rukiga Autonym

A language of Uganda

ISO 639
cgg
Alternate Names
Bachiga, Bahororo, Bakiga, Ciga, Kiga, Nkore, Nkore-Kiga, Oluchiga, Orukiga, Runyankore-Rukiga
Autonym
Rukiga
Population
2,390,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.
Location:
Kabale, Kanungu, Kibaale, north Kisoro, Ntungamo, and Rukungiri districts.
Language Status
4 (Educational).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Nyoro-Ganda (E.14)
Dialects
RuNyaifwe-Hororo, RuSigi, RuNyangyezi, RuHimba. 72% intelligible with Nyankore [nyn]. Lexical similarity: 84%–94% with Nyankore [nyn], 77% with Nyoro [nyo], 75% with Zinza [zin], 72% with Nyambo [now], 70% with Haya [hay], 68% with Tooro [ttj], 63% with Kerewe [ked].
Language Use
Vigorous. Home, church. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng]. Most also use Nyankore [nyn], which is closely related. A few also use Ganda [lug]. Used as L2 by Fumbira [kin], Nyankore [nyn].
Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Taught in secondary schools, as a subject. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1989.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chiga
Writing
Latin script [Latn], used since 1964.
Other Comments
Standardized form of the western varieties (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.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Kabale, Kanungu, Kibaale, north Kisoro, Ntungamo, and Rukungiri districts.