Masaaba
A language of Uganda
| Population | 1,120,000 (2002 census). Ethnic population: 953,936. |
| Region | East, Mbale and Sirinko districts, adjacent to Mount Elgon. |
| Language map |
Uganda, reference number 22 |
| Alternate names | Gisu, Lugisu, Lumasaaba, Masaba |
| Dialects | Dadiri (North), Buya (Central, South). Intelligibility with Dadiri and Buya 83%. Central and Southern varieties of Buya 93%. Lexical similarity: 62% with Saamia [lsm], 52% with Isukha [ida], 50% with Logooli [rag]. |
| Classification | Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Masaba-Luyia (J.30) |
| Language use | Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitude. Also use English, Ganda [lug], or Swahili [swh]. |
| Language development | Literacy rate in L1: Very low. Little or no literacy training in Masaaba, but an orthography guide has been published. Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. NT: 1977–1992. |
| Writing system | Latin script. |
| Comments | Ludadiri is the Northern variety; Lubuya is comprised of the Central and Southern varieties. Agriculturalists: bananas, sweet and Irish potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, Arabica coffee; cattlemen; traders; gatherers of bamboo shoots from Mt. Elgon. Christian. |
Ethnologue: Web |
Ethnologue: Print |
Bibliography |
Publications Catalog |
Software |
Email Updates
Who we are |
Shopping cart |
Site search |
Site map |
Home
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | External links
Copyright © 2012 SIL International (formerly known as the Summer Institute of Linguistics)
