Langi

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
lag
Alternate Names
Irangi, Kelangi, Kilaangi, Kilangi, Kirangi, Rangi
Population

410,000 (2007 R. Cox), increasing. Many ethnic Burunge (Chemba, Goima, and elsewhere) and some Alagwa (Kolo, Mnenya, and elsewhere) who are L1 Langi speakers. 38,000 monolinguals.

Location

Dodoma region: Kondoa district; urban groups in Dodoma, Mwanza, Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Tanga, Morogoro, Babati, and Singida; west of Maasai [mas], northeast of Sandawe [sad] language areas; some in south Manyara region.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, F, Nilamba-Rangi (F.33)
Dialects

Busi, Haubi, Kolo, Kondoa, Mondo. Limited comprehension of other languages. Lexical similarity: 74% with Mbugwe [mgz], 49% with Nyaturu [rim] and Sukuma [suk], 48% with Nyamwezi [nym], 47% with Kimbu [kiv] and Nilamba [nim], 40% with Sumbwa [suw].

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, market, local meetings. All ages. Positive attitudes. Prefer Swahili [swh] in public settings. 372,000 also use Swahili [swh]. Used as L2 by Alagwa [wbj], Burunge [bds].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: About 50% moderately fluent in Swahili [swh]. Swahili official language for education. Langi used for explanations. L1 literacy program in place. Poetry. New media. Grammar. Bible portions: 2007–2012.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Langi
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Influenced by Cushitic languages. The Swahili pronounce Langi as Rangi. Other language groups (eg. Burunge [bds], Alagwa [wbj]) are being assimilated into Langi language and culture. Muslim, Christian (Protestant), Christian (Roman Catholic).