Nyoro

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A language of Uganda

ISO 639-3
nyo
Alternate Names
Orunyoro, Runyoro
Population

667,000 (2002 census), increasing.

Location

West, Hoima, Masindi, Kibaale, Kyankwanzi, Kiryandongo, and Buliisa districts, east of Lake Albert.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Nyoro-Ganda (E.11)
Dialects

Orunyoro (Nyoro), Rutagwenda. 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. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Literacy campaign in progress (2012). Taught in primary schools. Poetry. New media. Radio programs. Films. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1912.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nyoro
Writing
Latin script, 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, Muslim.