Runyankole language

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Runyankole (also Runyankore) is a Bantu language spoken by the Ankole tribe of Southwestern Uganda. There are approximately 1 million native speakers, mainly found in Mbarara , Bushenyi Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Isingiro,Rukungiri districts.

There is a brief disription and teaching guide for this language, written by C. Taylor in the 1950's, 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. English is the official language, and the language taught in schools. Recently (2006) a group of missionaries completed a 15 year project to translate large parts of the Bible into Runyankole.

A simple knowledge of greetings can serve to break down barriers between foreigners and Ugandans. The greeting "Agandi," meaning, "How are you?" can be replied with "Ndyaho" - "I am fair!" or "nimarungi" meaning "I am fine"."Good night" "Oraregye". Madam "Nyabo". Sir "Sebo".Omwana "baby". Baby boy, "omwojo". Baby Girl "omwishikyi"