Bari
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A language of South Sudan
595,000 in South Sudan, all users. L1 users: 420,000 in South Sudan (2000). L2 users: 175,000 (2013 SIL). Total users in all countries: 641,500 (as L1: 466,500; as L2: 175,000).
Central Equatoria state: Juba, Kajo Keji and Lainya counties; both banks of the Nile, south of Terakeka on west bank, Mongalla on east bank, to Kajo Kaji escarpment.
3 (Wider communication). Regional language chosen for development by Rejaf Conference 1928.
Bari, Kuku, Nyangbara (Nyambara, Nyangwara), Nyepu (Ngyepu, Nyefu, Nyepo, Nypho), Pöjulu (Fadjulu, Fajelu, Madi, Pajulu), Ligo (Liggo). Lexical similarity: 86% with Bari and Nyepu dialects, 85% with Bari and Pöjulu, 81% with Bari and Kuku, 80% with Bari and Nyangbara, 71% with Mundari [mqu], 73% with Kakwa [keo].
Taught in some primary schools. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1979.
Latin script [Latn], used since 1927.
Ethnic Bari in Democratic Republic of the Congo now speak a dialect of Logo [log] and not Bari.