South Sudan

English

[eng] 1 (National). Statutory national working language (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(2)). Almost no L1 speakers.

3 (Wider communication)

Arabic, Sudanese Creole

[pga] 3 (Wider communication). 20,000 (1987).

Arabic, Sudanese Spoken

[apd] 3 (Wider communication). Population estimate not possible at this time.

Bari

[bfa] 3 (Wider communication). 420,000 in South Sudan (2000). 26,400 in Kuku, 18,000 in Nyangbara, 3,400 in Nyepu, 25,000 in Pojulu. Population total all countries: 480,000.

Ndogo

[ndz] 3 (Wider communication). 20,000 (2011 SIL). Few monolinguals.

Zande

[zne] 3 (Wider communication). 350,000 in South Sudan (1982 SIL).

4 (Educational)

Baka

[bdh] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(1)), primary education, literacy efforts. 25,000 in South Sudan (1993 UBS). Population total all countries: 26,300.

Beli

[blm] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(1)), primary education, literacy efforts. 65,000 (2009).

Didinga

[did] 4 (Educational). Language of recognized nationality (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(1)). 60,000 (2007 SIL).

Dinka, Northeastern

[dip] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(1)), primary education, literacy efforts. 320,000 (1986 UBS). 7,200 Abialang, 9,000 Dongjol, 2,500 Luac, 16,000 Ngok-Sobat, 20,000 Jok, 13,500 Ageer, 2,000 Rut, 400 Thoi.

Dinka, South Central

[dib] 4 (Educational). Language of recognized nationality (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(1)). 250,000. 2,000 Aker, 2,000 Thany, 22,000 Ciec, 25,000 Gok (Tucker and Bryan 1956).

Dinka, Southeastern

[dks] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(1)), primary education, literacy efforts. 250,000 in South Sudan. 21,000 Atoc, 9,000 Ghol, 4,000 Nyarueng, 35,000 Twi, 21,000 Bor Gok (Tucker and Bryan 1956). Population total all countries: 265,900.

Dinka, Southwestern

[dik] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(1)), primary education, literacy efforts. 450,000 (1982 UBS). 55,000 Abiem, 15,000 Luac, 40,000 Malual, 17,000 Paliet, 35,000 Palioupiny, 50,000 Tuic.

Gbaya

[krs] 4 (Educational). Language of recognized nationality (2011, Transitional Constitution Article 6(1)). 16,000 in South Sudan (1987 SIL).

Jur Modo

[bex] 4 (Educational). 100,000 (2004 SIL).

Kakwa

[keo] 4 (Educational). 40,000 in South Sudan (1978).

Keliko

[kbo] 4 (Educational). 10,000 in South Sudan (1998 SIL). Population total all countries: 22,500.

Ma’di

[mhi] 4 (Educational). 18,000 in South Sudan (1982).

Morokodo

[mgc] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(1)), primary education, literacy efforts. 50,000 (2011). 280 Biti.

Moru

[mgd] 4 (Educational). Language of recognized nationality (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(1)). 70,000 (1982 SIL). 1,200 Agi, 2,500 Andri, 5,000 Kadiro, 9,000 Miza, 400 Wa’di.

Murle

[mur] 4 (Educational). 60,000 in South Sudan (1982 SIL). Population total all countries: 60,001.

Nuer

[nus] 4 (Educational). 740,000 in South Sudan (1982). 2,940 Western Jikany, 12,500 Lou, 1,100 Nyuong, 2,500 Thiang, 5,900 Bul, 2,400 Jagai, 6,700 Laak, 4,900 Leik, 1,600 Door, 17,600 Eastern Jikany (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977). Population total all countries: 891,000.

Otuho

[lot] 4 (Educational). 135,000 (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977). 2,500 Koriot, 1,000 Lomya.

Shilluk

[shk] 4 (Educational). 175,000 (1982 SIL).

Tennet

[tex] 4 (Educational). 10,000 (2009 SIL).

5 (Developing)

Acholi

[ach] 5 (Developing). 27,000 in South Sudan (2000 SIL).

Anuak

[anu] 5 (Developing). 52,000 in South Sudan (1991 UBS). Population total all countries: 140,000.

Avokaya

[avu] 5 (Developing). 40,000 in South Sudan (2002). Population total all countries: 65,000.

Belanda Bor

[bxb] 5 (Developing). 8,000 (1983).

Belanda Viri

[bvi] 5 (Developing). 16,000 (Welmers 1971).

Luwo

[lwo] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, Transitional Constitution, Article 6(1)), primary education, literacy efforts. 80,000 (1983 census).

Mabaan

[mfz] 5 (Developing). 50,000 (1987 SIL).

Mandari

[mqu] 5 (Developing).

Mündü

[muh] 5 (Developing). 23,000 in South Sudan. Population total all countries: 25,800.

Narim

[loh] 5 (Developing). 3,620 (Fukui 1984).

Päri

[lkr] 5 (Developing). 28,000 (1987 SIL).

Toposa

[toq] 5 (Developing). 100,000 (2000 M. Schroeder). Most are monolingual.

Uduk

[udu] 5 (Developing). 22,000 in Sudan and South Sudan (split between the 2 not known).

6a (Vigorous)

Banda, Togbo-Vara

[tor] 6a (Vigorous).

Dinka, Northwestern

[diw] 6a (Vigorous). 80,000 (1986).

Dongotono

[ddd] 6a (Vigorous). 1,000 (1978 GR).

Fulfulde, Adamawa

[fub] 6a (Vigorous).

Jumjum

[jum] 6a (Vigorous).

Kacipo-Balesi

[koe] 6a (Vigorous). 5,000 in South Sudan (2010 SIL). Almost all monolingual. Population total all countries: 9,120.

Komo

[xom] 6a (Vigorous).

Lango

[lno] 6a (Vigorous). 38,000 (2007).

Lopit

[lpx] 6a (Vigorous). 50,000 (1995 S. Randal).

Nyamusa-Molo

[nwm] 6a (Vigorous). 1,630 (2011 R. Abraham).

Olu’bo

[lul] 6a (Vigorous). 15,000 (1985 SIL).

Opuuo

[lgn] 6a (Vigorous).

Reel

[atu] 6a (Vigorous). 50,000 (1998). The Kuek and Jikeyi have many monolinguals and are regarded as having the purest form of the language.

6b (Threatened)

Bongo

[bot] 6b (Threatened). 10,100 (2000).

Lokoya

[lky] 6b (Threatened). 12,400. No monolinguals.

7 (Shifting)

Bai

[bdj] 7 (Shifting). 2,500 (Welmers 1971).

Banda, Mid-Southern

[bjo] 7 (Shifting).

Banda-Banda

[bpd] 7 (Shifting).

Banda-Mbrès

[bqk] 7 (Shifting).

Banda-Ndélé

[bfl] 7 (Shifting).

Feroge

[fer] 7 (Shifting). 8,000 (1982).

Mo’da

[gbn] 7 (Shifting). 600 (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977).

Thuri

[thu] 7 (Shifting). 6,600 (Tucker and Bryan 1956).

Yulu

[yul] 7 (Shifting). 3,000 in South Sudan (1987 SIL). 2,000 Yulu and 1,000 Binga.

8a (Moribund)

Banda, West Central

[bbp] 8a (Moribund). 3,000 in South Sudan (1982).

Indri

[idr] 8a (Moribund). 700.

Njalgulgule

[njl] 8a (Moribund). 900 (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977).

8b (Nearly extinct)

Aja

[aja] 8b (Nearly extinct). 200 (1993 SIL).

Mangayat

[myj] 8b (Nearly extinct). 400 (1987 SIL). No monolinguals.

9 (Dormant)

Boguru

[bqu] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers in South Sudan. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 500.

10 (Extinct)

Homa

[hom] 10 (Extinct). No remaining speakers.

Mittu

[mwu] 10 (Extinct). No remaining speakers.

Togoyo

[tgy] 10 (Extinct). No remaining speakers.

Ethnologue

South Sudan

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South Sudan

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