Talinga-Bwisi

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A language of Uganda

ISO 639-3
tlj
Alternate Names
Bwissi, Kitalinga, Lubwisi, Lubwissi, Mawissi, Olubwisi
Population

68,500 in Uganda (2002 census), increasing. Population total all countries: 99,400.

Location

Democratic Republic of the Congo border, Bundibugyo District, Bwamba county, southwest of Fort Portal, between Albert and Edward lakes. Also in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Haya-Jita (D.102)
Dialects

68% inherent intelligibility with Tooro [ttj]. Lexical similarity: 73% with Tooro [ttj], 72% with Nyoro [nyo], 40% with Nande [nnb].

Typology

SVO; CV, V; tonal

Language Use

Home, some churches, market, if both are Babwisi. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Tooro [ttj].

Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Poetry. Radio programs. Bible portions: 2004–2010.
Writing
Latin script, used since 2000.
Other Comments

Glossonym: Bwisi in Uganda, Talinga in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Different from Bwisi of Congo and Gabon. Christian, Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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