Nilotic languages

The Nilotic languages are languages spoken across wide areas between Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Tanzania by the Nilotic peoples.

Etymology

The word Nilotic means of or relating to the Nile River or to the Nile region of Africa. The Nile River runs from Rwanda through various countries upto Egypt.

Demographics

Nilotic peoples, who are the native speakers of the languages, originally migrated from the Gezira area in Sudan. Nilotic language speakers live in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Subdivisions

According to linguist Joseph Greenberg, the language family is divided up into three subgroups:

Eastern Nilotic languages such as Turkana and Maasai
Southern Nilotic languages such as Kalenjin and Datooga
Western Nilotic languages such as Luo, Nuer and Dinka

It is important to note that these Nilotic languages' groupings are geographical classifications rather than mutual intelligibility. For instance, the Dinka is a different language from the Luo, which is also different from Nuer etc. Some words may sound similar due to shared location although these are distinct ethnic groups, with distinct speeches. Dinka and Nuer languages are not mutually intelligible but they share a common vocalbulary since both languages are related Western Nilotic languages.
Before Greenberg's reclassification, Nilotic was used to refer to Western Nilotic alone, with the other two being grouped as related "Nilo-Hamitic" languages.
Blench treats the Burun languages as a fourth subgroup of Nilotic. In previous classifications, the languages were included within the Luo languages. Starostin treats the Mabaan-Burun languages as "West Nilotic" but outside the Luo level.

Reconstruction

Over 200 Proto-Nilotic lexical roots have been reconstructed by Dimmendaal.
Dimmendaal reconstructs the Proto-Nilotic consonants as follows:

Numerals

Comparison of numerals in individual languages:

Classification	Language	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Eastern, Bari	Bari	ɡɛ́lɛ̀ŋ	mʊ̀rɛ́k	mʊ̀sálà	ɪ́ŋwàn	mʊ̀kánàt	búkɛ̀r	búryò	búdö̀k	bʊ́ŋwàn	púwö̀k
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Lotuxo-Maa, Lotuxo	Lopit	F / M nàbóìtóì / lòbóìtóì	lòhórìk, arik	lòhúnìk	lóŋwán	mìyét	ile	hatarik	hotohunɪk	hotoŋwan	tomon
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Lotuxo-Maa, Lotuxo	Lotuho (Lotuxo)	ábótè	áréhè	húníhe	áŋwàn	mìyyàt	ɪ́lle	hàtmɪk	hùtohunɪk	hùtoŋwan	tòmmòn
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Lotuxo-Maa, Lotuxo	Lotuho (Lotuxo)	ʌ̀bóíté / âbotye	ʌ̀ríxèy / árrexai	xúnixòì / xunixoi	aŋwân	míèt < 'hand'	ɪ́llɛ́	xáttàrɪ̀k	xóttóxúnìk	xɔ́ttɔ́ŋwàn	tɔ́mɔ̀n
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Lotuxo-Maa, Ongamo-Maa	Maasai	nabô, obô, nebô	aré, aàre/ɔáre	uní, okúni	oŋwán, oóŋwan	ímíêt	ílɛ̂ / íllɛ̂	naápishana, oópishana	ísíêt < Kalenjin	naáudo, oódó	tɔ́mɔ̂n < Kalenjin
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Lotuxo-Maa, Ongamo-Maa	Samburu	naɓô, oɓô, noɓô	aré, waáre	uní, okúni	onɠwán, oónɠwan	ímɟêt / ímʄêt	ílê	sápâ	ísɟêt / ísʄêt < Kalenjin	sâːl	tômôn < Kalenjin
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Teso-Turkana, Teso	Teso (Ateso)	ìdʸòpét	ìɑɾè	íwúní	íwóŋón	íkɑ̀ɲ	íkɑ̀ɲɑ̂pè	íkɑ̀ɲɑ̂ɾè	íkɑ̀ɲɑ̂wùní	íkɑ̀ɲɑ̂wòŋòn	ítòmòn
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Teso-Turkana, Teso	Teso (Ateso)	-diope	-árèy	-únì	-oŋôn	-kaɲ < 'hand'	kaɲ kape	kaɲ karey	kaɲ kauni	kaɲ kaoŋon	tɔ́mɔ̀n
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Teso-Turkana, Turkana	Karamojong (Dodotho)	ɲípéí	ŋíááréí	ŋúúní	ŋóómwán	ŋííkan	ŋíkan ka péí	ŋíkan ka áréí	ŋíkan ka úní	ŋíkan ko ómwán	ŋítomón
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Teso-Turkana, Turkana	Karamojong	ɛpei	ŋiarei	ŋiuni	ŋiomwɔn	ŋikan < hand	ŋíkàn kà-pei	ŋíkàn kà-arei	ŋíkàn kà-uni	ŋíkàn kà-omwɔn	ŋítɔ̀mɔ́n
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Teso-Turkana, Turkana	Nyangatom	a-péy ̀	ŋa-áréy ̀	ŋa-uní ̀	ŋa-omwɔn ̀	ŋa-kànɪ	ŋa-kanɪ̀ ka-pey	ŋa-kanɪ̀ ka-arey	ŋa-kanɪ ka-uni	ŋa-kanɪ ka-omwɔn	ŋa-tɔ̀mɔn
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Teso-Turkana, Turkana	Toposa	péì	áréì	ʊ́nì	ɔ́ŋwɔ́n	kànì̥ < hand	kànì̥ kà-péì	kànì̥ kà-àréì	kànì̥ kà-ʊ́ní	kànì̥ kà-ɔ́ŋwɔ́n	tɔ̀mɔ́ní̥
Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Teso-Turkana, Turkana	Turkana	a-péy ̀	ŋa-áréy ̀	ŋa-úní ̀	ŋa-ómwɔ̀n ̀	ŋa-kànɪ̥ < hand	ŋa-kanɪ ka-péy	ŋa-kanɪ ka-áréy	ŋa-kanɪ ka-úní	ŋa-kanɪ ka-ómwɔ̀n	ŋa-tɔ̀mɔn
Southern, Kalenjin, Elgon	Kupsabiny (Sebei)	aɡeenɡe	äyëëny	sömök	anɡʼwan	müüt	müüt äk aɡeenɡe	müüt äk äyëëny	müüt äk sömök	müüt äk anɡʼwan	taman
Southern, Kalenjin, Elgon	Sabaot (Koony dialect)	akeenke	āyēēnɡʼ	sōmōk	anɡʼwan	mūūt / muut	lo	tisab	sisiit	sokool	taman
Southern, Kalenjin, Nandi-Markweta, Markweta	Cherang'any	àkɛ́ɛ́ŋkɛ̀	ʌ́yíín	sómòk	áŋwaan	múút	lɔ̀	tɪsáp	sìsít	sʌ́ɡʌ́l	támán
Southern, Kalenjin, Nandi-Markweta, Markweta	Endo (Marakwet)	ɒ́kɔ́ːŋɔ	ərèːɲ	sómók	ɒ́ŋwɒ̀n	mùːt	lɔ́	tɪ́sɔ́p	sisíːt	sɔkɔ̀ːl	tɒmɒn
Southern, Kalenjin, Nandi-Markweta, Nandi	Keiyo	àkɛ́ŋɡɛ̂ / àɛ́ŋɡɛ̂	aɛ́ːŋ /aɛ́ːɲ	sɔ̀mɔ̂k	àŋwàn	mʊ́ːt	lɔ̂	tɪ̀sâp	sɪ̀sɪ́ːt	sɔ́kɔ́ːl	támán
Southern, Kalenjin, Nandi-Markweta, Nandi	Tugen	àɣééɲɡé	àééɲ	sómók	àɲwán	múút	ló	tísáp	sìsíít	sóɣóòl	tàmán
Southern, Kalenjin, Okiek	Akie (Okiek)	akɛɛnkɛ	ayen	somok	aŋwàn	mʊ́ʊ́t	ílɛ	nápíʃana	ísíêt	náúdo	taman
Southern, Kalenjin, Pokot	Pökoot (Suk)	àkɔ́ɔ́ŋkɔ̀	oɣë̀ë̀ŋ / òdë̀ë̀ŋ	sä́mä́k	àŋwân	múut	múut ŋɡɔ́ àkɔ́ɔ́ŋɔ̀	múut ŋɡɔ́ òdë̀ë̀ŋ	múut ŋɡɔ́ sä́mä́k	múut ŋɡɔ́ àŋwân	támàn
Southern, Tatoga	Asimjeeg Datooga	àkàlɛːlɛ̀ː / ák /	íjèɲ	sàmòɡw	àŋwàn	mùːt	lá	ísːpò	sìs	ʃàɡàʃ	dàmàn
Southern, Tatoga	Datooga	ɑ̀ɡi	íiyèeɲɑ	sɑ́mɑ̀ɡu	ɑ́ŋwɑ́n	mʊ̀ʊt	lɑ́	íispɑ̀	sís	ʃɑ́ɡɛ̀ɛʃ	dɑ̀mɑ́nɑ́mʊ́qʊ̀ʊʃ
Southern, Tatoga	Datooga	ʔàɡi	íyèeɲa	sàmàɡu	ʔàŋwàn	mùuti ~ bánàakta mùuti	làh	ìsbà ~ isbwà	sìss ~ sìs	ʃàɡèeʃʃ ~ ʃàɡèeʃ	dàmáná múqùuʃ
Western, Dinka-Nuer, Dinka	Dinka Agaar	ʈɔ́k	rɔ́ʷ	dʲák	ŋʊ̀ʷân	ðíɟ	ðɛ̀ʈem	ðɜ̀rʊ́ʷ	bɛ̀ʈ	ðɔ̀ŋʊ́ʷàn	t̪íʲàːr
Western, Dinka-Nuer, Dinka	Dinka Padang	tò̤k	ròw	dyá̤k	ŋwán	d̪yì̤c	d̪ètém	d̪ɔ̀rɔ́w	bɛ̤́t	d̪ɔ̀ŋwán	t̪yɛ́ɛ̀r
Western, Dinka-Nuer, Nuer	Nuer	kɛ̀ːl	rɜ̀ʷ	dɪʲɔ̂k	ŋʊ́ʷǎn	ðɪ́ʲɛ̀ɟ	bakɛ̀l	bàraʷ	bɛ̀dak	bɜ̀ŋʊ́ʷǎn	wɜ́ːl
Western, Dinka-Nuer, Nuer	Nuer	kɛ́ɛ̀l	rɛ̌w	dyɔ̌k	ŋwán	d̪yè̤c	bʌ̤́kɛ̀l	bʌ̤rɔ̀w	bʌ̤̀dá̤k	bʌ̤́ŋwàn	wá̤l
Western, Luo, Northern, Anuak	Anuak(Anyua)	àcíɛ̀l	àríyɔ̀	àdʌ́k	àŋwɛ́ɛ́n	àbíc	àbícìɛ̀l	àbíríyɔ̀	àbárà	àbíŋwɛ̀ɛ̀n	àpár
Western, Luo, Northern, Anuak	Anuak	aciel / acíɛ̀l	ariio̤ / aríɪàw	ada̤k / adʌ́ɡ	aŋween / aŋwɛ́ɛn	abi̤i̤c / abíiɟ	abi̤ciel / abícíɛ̀l	abi̤riio̤ /abíríɪàw	aba̤ra / abʌ́rʌ́	abi̤ŋween / abíŋwɛ̀ɛn	apaar / apáar
Western, Luo, Northern, Bor	Belanda Bor	ákɛɛ̂l	arɛ̂w	àdéɡ	àŋwɛ́n	àbíc	àbíc kúkɛ́l	àbíc kúrɛ̂w	àbíc kùdēēk	àbíc kúŋwɛ̂n	áfaàr
Western, Luo, Northern, Jur	Luwo	áciɛ̄lɔ́	á̟riɔ̄w	á̟dá̟ɡ	áŋwɛ̄ːn	àbī̟ːj	ábíciɛ̄l	ábɛ́riɔ̄w	á̟bɛ̟́dā̟ɡ	ábɛ́ŋwɛ̄ːn	āpāːr
Western, Luo, Northern, Mabaan-Burun, Burun	Burun (Mayak)	kɛɛl / kɛ̀ɛl	rɛɛ / rɛ̄	ɖʌk /ɖʌ̄k	ŋan / ŋān	d̪oc / dōoc	ɖowk /ɖɔ́ùk	ŋat̪ukɛl / ŋàtúkɛ́l	ŋunu / ŋɔ̀nʊ́	ɟucukɛl / ɲùcúkɛ́l	caac / cáac
Western, Luo, Northern, Mabaan-Burun, Mabaan	Mabaan	cyɛ́ɛlɔ̀	yɛ́ɛwɔ̀	ɗɔ́ɔ́ɡɔ́	ŋáánɔ̀	d̪ɔ́ɔ́yɔ̀	d̪ɔ́ɔ́yɔ̀ wílin nè cyɛ́ɛlɔ̀	d̪ɔ́ɔ́yɔ̀ wítkɛ̀n nè yɛ́ɛwɔ̀	d̪ɔ́ɔ́yɔ̀ wítkɛ̀n nè ɗɔ́ɔ́ɡɔ́	d̪ɔ́ɔ́yɔ̀ wítkɛ̀n nè ŋáánɔ̀	ínyáákkɛ̀n
Western, Luo, Northern, Shilluk	Shilluk	àkjɛ̀l	áɾjɛ̀w	ádə̀k	áŋwɛ̀n	ábîc	ábîkjɛ̀l	abìɾjɛ̀w	àbîdèk	ábîŋwɛ̀n	pjáár
Western, Luo, Northern, Thuri	Thuri	ácîel	aríòw	ádeèk	àŋwɛɛ̀n	àbííc	abícbícèl	àbícbə́riə́ɔ̀w	àbícbídèk	àbíc bə́ŋwɛ́ɛn	ápaàr
Western, Luo, Northern, Unclassified	Päri (Lokoro)	ácɛ̀lɔ́	árìyɔ́	ádòɡó	áŋwɛ̀nɔ́	ábìd͡ʒɔ́	àbícɛ̀lɔ́	àbírìyɔ́	ábʌ̄rà	ábúŋwɛ̀nɔ́	ápàr
Western, Luo, Northern, Unclassified	Päri (Lokoro)	acyelo, took	aryo, ireek	adöɡo, ɡala	aŋweno	abijo, kunat	abicyelo, bukel	abiryo, buryo	abidö̈ɡo, aböra, bodök	abuŋweno, buŋwan	apar
Western, Luo, Southern, Adhola	Adhola	ɑ́cêr	ɑ́rîo	ɑ́dêːk	ɑ́ŋʷên	ɑ́bîːc	ɑ̀ᵘcèr	ɑ̀bírîo	ɑ́bôːrò	ɑ̀búŋʷèn	ɑ́pɑ̂ːr
Western, Luo, Southern, Adhola	Adhola	àcíɛl	àríó	àdeék	àŋwɛɛ̂n	àbîc	àwúciɛ̄l	àbíirò	àbɔ́ɔ̀rò	àbúŋwɛ́n	ápāar
Western, Luo, Southern, Kumam	Kumam	ɑ̀cɛ́l	ɑ̀ré	ɑ̀dēk	òŋwɔ́n	kɑ̄ɲ	kɑ́ɲ ɑ̀pé	kɑ̄ɲ ɑ̀ré	kɑ̄ɲ ɑ̀wūní	kɑ̄ɲ ɑ̀ŋɔ́n	tɔ̄mɔ́n
Western, Luo, Southern, Luo-Acholi, Alur-Acholi, Alur	ISO 639:alz	àcìɛ̄l	àríɔ̀	àdék	àŋùén	àbîc	àbúcìɛ̀l	àbírɔ́	àboônà	àbúŋwɛ̄ɛ̄n	-
Western, Luo, Southern, Luo-Acholi, Alur-Acholi, Labwor	Acholi (Labwor)	àcíèl	àríò	àdék	àŋwɛ̂n	àbîc	àbícíèl	àbíìrɔ́	àboôrà	àbúŋwɛ́n	àpáàr
Western, Luo, Southern, Luo-Acholi, Alur-Acholi, Acholi	Acholi	àcɛ̂l	àryɔ̂	àdêk	àŋwɛ̂n	àbîc	àbícɛ̀l	àbíryɔ̀	àbórò ??	àbóŋwɛ̀n	àpâr
Western, Luo, Southern, Luo-Acholi, Luo	Dholuo	àcìɛ̄l	àríɔ̀	àdék	àŋùén	àbîc	àúcìɛ̀l	àbíríɔ̀	àborô	ɔ́cíkɔ̀	àpáàr