Nkore language


Nkore is a Bantu language spoken by the Nkore of south-western Uganda in the former province of Ankole, as well as in Tanzania, the DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.
Runyankole is mainly spoken in the Mbarara, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Isingiro, Rukungiri, Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi and parts of Kitagwenda districts.
There is a brief description and teaching guide for this language, written by Charles V. Taylor in the 1950s, and an adequate dictionary in print. Whilst this language is spoken by almost all the Ugandans in the region, most also speak English, especially in the towns.
Nkore is so similar to Kiga that some argue they are dialects of the same language, a language called Nkore-Kiga by Taylor.

Phonology

Runyankore has a five-vowel system:
FrontCentralBack
Close
Mid
Open

  • Sounds /i, u/ can be heard as when short or lax.

    Orthography

  • a -
  • b -
  • c -
  • d -
  • e -
  • f -
  • g -
  • h -
  • i -
  • k -
  • m -
  • n -
  • o -
  • p -
  • r -
  • s -
  • t -
  • u -
  • v -
  • w -
  • y -
  • z -
  • ai -
  • ei -
  • gy -
  • ky -
  • mp -
  • mw -
  • nd -
  • ng -
  • ny -
  • oi -
  • sh -
  • ts -
  • zh -
D and P are only used in the digraphs ND and MP and in loanwords.
G and K are and before I, and elsewhere.

Basic greetings

The greeting Agandi, implying, "How are you?" but literally meaning "other news!", can be replied with Ni marungi, which literally means "good news!".
The proper greetings are Oraire ota? or Osiibire ota?, literally translated "How was your night?" and "How was your day?". "Good night" is Oraare gye and "Good day" is Osiibe gye.
Here are a few names one might use in a greeting:
  • Madam – Nyabo
  • Sir – Sebo
  • Child – omwana
  • Boy – omwojo
  • Girl – ''omwishiki''

    Food

  • Matooke or Bananas - Ebitookye
  • Maize Meal or corn bread – Obuhunga’Ensano’
  • Beans – Ebihimba
  • Meat – Enyama
  • Millet Bread – ''Oburo''

    Other words and phrases

  • No: Ngaaha or Apaana
  • Yes: Yego
  • Thank you: Webare
  • Thank you very much: Webare munonga
  • You're welcome : Webare kusiima
  • I like/love you: Ninkukunda or ninkukunda munonga
  • My name is ____: Eizina ryangye niinye ______ or ndi _____
  • I am from _____: Ninduga_____
  • It's how much shillings/money? Ni shiringi zingahi? or ni sente zingahi?
  • Good morning. How are you?
Oraire ota Replies: I'm fine Ndaire gye or Ndyaho
  • Good morning. Did you sleep well?
Oraire gye?
Reply: Yes, yourself?
Yego, shan’iwe
  • Good afternoon. How are you spending your day?
Osiibire ota Replies: Nsiibire gye
  • You are spending your day well?
Osiibire gye Replies: Yes- Yego or nsiibire gye
  • Good afternoon. How has your day been?
Waasiiba ota Reply: Fine, good, I've spent it well – Naasiiba gye
  • Good night: oraregye