Kinyarwanda

A language of Rwanda

ISO 639-3

kin

Alternate Names

Hima, Ikinyarwanda, Orunyarwanda, Ruanda, Rwanda, Rwandan, Urunyaruanda

Autonym

Kinyarwanda

Population

10,600,000 in Rwanda (2013). Total users in all countries: 12,120,250.

Language Maps

Northern Democratic Republic of Congo

Southern Democratic Republic of Congo

Uganda

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2003, Constitution, Article 5).

Classification

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Ruanda-Rundi (D.61)

Dialects

Igikiga (Igishiru, Ikigoyi, Kiga, Tshiga), Bufumbwa, Hutu (Hera, Lera, Ndara, Ndogo, Shobyo, Tshogo, Ululera), Rutwa (Twa), Gitwa, Ikinyanduga. Mutually intelligible with Rundi [run].

Typology

SVO; 10 noun classes; no articles; verb affixes mark person, number; tense and aspect; 24 consonant and 5 vowel phonemes; tonal.

Language Development

Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1954–1993.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Kinyarwanda

Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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Democratic Republic of the Congo

Language nameKinyarwanda

Population Full

250,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (UBS).

Location

Nord-Kivu province: Rwanda border lakes area; Sud-Kivu province: west of Bujumbura.

Alternate Names

Ruanda, Rwanda

Dialects

Bwisha (Kinyabwisha), Mulenge (Kinyamulenge), Twa.

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Dialects may need separate literature. Traditional religion, Christian.

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Uganda

Language nameFumbira

Population Full

1,240,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation; 713,000 Bafumbira, 524,000 Banyarwanda (2014 census).

Location

Kisoro district; Kabale and Ntungamo districts.

Alternate Names

Bafumbira, Banyarwanda, Kinyarwanda, Ruanda, Rufumbira, Runyarwanda, Rwanda

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, market, work. Used by all. Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Literacy campaign in progress. Taught in primary schools.

Other Comments

Akin to Kinyarwanda [kin] in Rwanda, which probably no longer exists in Uganda, or if so, is known as Fumbira.

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Ethnologue

Kinyarwanda

Primary tabs

A language of Rwanda

Also spoken in:

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