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Kitharaka

A language of Kenya

ISO 639-3: thk

Population	139,000 (2006), increasing. Less than 35% monolinguals. Some Tharaka people live outside their homeland. Ethnic population: 150,000.
Region	Eastern Province, East Meru District, Embu District; some in Kitui District.
Language map	Kenya, reference number 22
Alternate names	Saraka, Sharoka, Tharaka
Dialects	Gatue (North Tharaka), Thagichu (Kitui), Ntugi (Central Tharaka), Tharaka (South Tharaka). Thagichu dialect has extensive Kamba [kam] borrowings. Gatue is influential. Difficult intelligibility with northern Meru [mer] dialects. Some Meru words have offensive meanings in Tharaka. Similar to Chuka [cuh].
Classification	Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, E, Kikuyu-Kamba (E.20), Meru
Language use	Older people’s dialect more prestigious due to lack of borrowings. Many now use written materials. Approaching GIDS 5. Home, social gatherings, school. All ages. Positive attitude. Also use English, Kiswahili [swh], Gikuyu [kik], or Kimîîru [mer].
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 45% Kiswahili or English. Taught in primary schools. NT: 2000.
Writing system	Latin script.
Comments	Attitudes are changing. People view language as important. Tharaka is place name. Atharaka is the name of the group. Agriculturalists: millet, sorghum. Traditional religion, Christian.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

OMMANI, John, author. 2000. Tharaka female circumcision: a case study in the role of the translation organization.

SCHROEDER, Leila, author. 2001. Mother-tongue education in schools in Tharaka language group of Kenya.

SCHROEDER, Leila, author. 2004. "Mother-tongue education in schools in Kenya: some hidden beneficiaries."

TRUDELL, Barbara, author. 2007. "Local community perspectives and language of education in sub-Saharan African communities."

Vernacular Publications

Bûra wûmba gwonkia kaana gaaku. 1998.

Iburaîmu. 1998.

Imbi îraûragire Gîtonga arî mwana mûnyi?. 1996.

Kîtharaka i kîega. 1998.

Ngono cîa kîraci kîa biîrî; Standard 2 storybook. 2006.

Ngono cia kîraci kîa mbere; Standard 1 storybook. 2006.

Rûgono rwa acoore bana. 1996.

Rwaro. 1996.

Tûthoomeeni kîîtharaka 1: îbuku rîa kîraci kîa mbere. 2006.

Tûthoomeeni kîîtharaka: îbuku rîa kîraci kîa Biîrî. 2003.

Tûthoomeni kîîtharaka 1: îbuku rîa mwarimû. 2006.

Tûthoomeni kîîtharaka 3: îbuku rîa kîraci kîa bithatû. 2006.

Tûthoomeni Kîtharaka 1. 1995.