Nyankore | Ethnologue

A language of Uganda

ISO 639: nyn
Alternate Names: Nkole, Nyankole, Olunyankole, Runyankole, Ulunyankole, Ulunyankore
Autonym: Runyankore
Population: 3,420,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Includes 152,000 Hororo and 49,000 Runyaruguru (2014 census). Total users in all countries: 3,433,000.
Location:: Bushenyi district: Ishaka municipality; Ibanda, Isingiro, Kabale, Kamwenge, Kasese, Kiruhura, Mbarara, Ntungamo, and Rubirizi districts.
Language Status: 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Bushenyi, Mbarara, Ntungamo districts.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Nyoro-Ganda (E.13)
Dialects: Hororo, Hima, Runyaruguru. Hima dialect may be a separate language similar to Tuku [ttj] and Hema [nix] in Democratic Republic of Congo. Lexical similarity: 78%–96% between Nyankore, Nyoro [nyo], and their dialects; 84%–94% with Chiga [cgg], 75%–86% with Tooro (Nyoro) [nyo], 81% with Zinza [zin], 78% with Nyambo [now], 74% with Haya [hay], 68% with Kerewe [ked].
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Chiga [cgg]. Most also use English [eng]. Some also use Ganda [lug]. Used as L2 by Chiga [cgg].
Language Development: Taught in primary schools. Taught in secondary schools, as a subject. Literature. Newspapers. Periodicals. Radio. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1964–1989.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Nyankore
Writing: Latin script [Latn], used since 1964.
Other Comments: Standardized form of the western languages (Nyankore-Chiga and Nyoro-Tooro) is called Runyakitara taught at the University and used in internet browsing, but is a hybrid language. Ethnic groups: Bahima, Bairu. Christian.