Acholi

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A language of Uganda

ISO 639-3
ach
Alternate Names
Acoli, Acooli, Akoli, Atscholi, Dok Acoli, Gang, Log Acoli, Lwo, Lwoo, Shuli
Population

1,170,000 in Uganda (2002 census), increasing. 12,100 speakers of Dhopaluo (Ladefoged, Glick, and Criper 1972), 20,600 ethnic Chope (2002 census). Population total all countries: 1,197,000.

Location

North; Kitgum; Gulu, Amuru, Lamwo, Nwoya, Adjumani, and Pader districts. Also in South Sudan.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Western, Luo, Southern, Luo-Acholi, Alur-Acholi, Lango-Acholi
Dialects

Dhopaluo (Chope, Chopi), Nyakwai. Reported intelligibility with Lango [laj], Kumam [kdi], Dhopadhola [adh], but percentages unknown. Lexical similarity: with Lango [laj], Kumam [kdi], Dhopadhola [adh].

Typology

16 consonants, 9 vowels (but only 5 written); tonal

Language Use

Home, market, church, office. Most are young. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng] and Kiswahili [swh].

Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Taught in secondary schools, as a subject. Poetry. Newspapers. Radio programs. Films. Dictionary. Bible: 1986.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Acholi
Writing
Latin script, used since 1947.
Other Comments

Christian, Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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