Page Type: languageNyoro | Ethnologue

NYO ISO 639-3

Nyoro

Runyoro Autonym

A language of Uganda

ISO 639
nyo
Alternate Names
Kyopi, Lunyoro
Autonym
Runyoro
Population
967,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.
Location:
Buliisa, Hoima, Kibaale, Kiryandongo, and Masindi districts; also Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, and Kyenjojo districts east of Lake Albert.
Language Status
4 (Educational).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Nyoro-Ganda (E.11)
Dialects
Rutagwenda, Orunyoro (Nyoro). 73% inherent intelligibility with Gungu [rub]. Hema-Sud [nyo] (Nyoro-Toro) in Democratic Republic of the Congo is quite different. Lexical similarity: 78%–93% with Tooro [ttj], 77% with Nyankore [nyn] and Chiga [cgg], 67% with Nyambo [now] and Zinza [zin], 66% with Haya [hay], 62% with Kerewe [ked].
Typology
SVO.
Language Use
Vigorous. Home, market, work. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng]. Most also use Tooro [ttj], especially Rutangwenda speakers. Some also use Ganda [lug]. Used as L2 by Gungu [rub], Ruruuli-Runyala [ruc], Tooro [ttj].
Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Literature. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1912.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nyoro
Writing
Latin script [Latn], used since 1978.
Other Comments
Standardized form of the western languages (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, traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Buliisa, Hoima, Kibaale, Kiryandongo, and Masindi districts; also Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, and Kyenjojo districts east of Lake Albert.