Page Type: languageLangi | Ethnologue

LAG ISO 639-3

Langi

Kɨlaangi, Langi Autonym

A language of Tanzania

ISO 639
lag
Alternate Names
Irangi, Kelangi, Kilaangi, Kilangi, Kirangi, Rangi, Valaangi
Autonym
Kɨlaangi, Langi
Population
371,000 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009), increasing. 38,000 monolinguals.
Location:
Dodoma region: Kondoa district; Manyara region: some south. Urban groups in Arusha, Babati, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mwanza, Singida, and Tanga regions.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, F, Nilamba-Rangi (F.33)
Dialects
Kondoa, Haubi, Kolo, Mondo, Busi. Limited comprehension of other languages. Lexical similarity: 74% with Mbugwe [mgz], 49% with Nyaturu [rim] and Sukuma [suk], 48% with Nyamwezi [nym], 47% with Kimbu [kiv] and Nilamba [nim], 40% with Sumbwa [suw].
Typology
SVO.
Language Use
Vigorous. Home, market, local meetings. Used by all. Positive attitudes, but Swahili [swh] preferred in public settings. Most also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Alagwa [wbj], Burunge [bds].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: About 50% moderately fluent in Swahili [swh]. Swahili official language for education. Langi used for explanations. L1 literacy program in place. Literature. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 2007–2012.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Langi
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Influenced by Cushitic languages. The Swahili pronounce Langi as Rangi. Other language groups (eg. Burunge [bds], Alagwa [wbj]) are being assimilated into Langi language and culture. Muslim, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Dodoma region: Kondoa district; Manyara region: some south. Urban groups in Arusha, Babati, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mwanza, Singida, and Tanga regions.