Chiga

CGG

educational

Alternate Names: Ciga, Kiga, Nkore-Kiga, Oluchiga, Orukiga, Rukiga, Runyankore-Rukiga

Dialects: RuHimba, RuNyaifwe-Hororo, RuNyangyezi, RuSigi. 72% intelligible with Nyankore ,. Lexical similarity: 84%–94% with Nyankore ,, 77% with Nyoro ,, 75% with Zinza ,, 72% with Nyambo ,, 70% with Haya ,, 68% with Tooro ,, 63% with Kerewe ,.

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Atlantic-Congo
Volta-Congo
Benue-Congo
Bantoid
Southern
Narrow Bantu
Central
J
Nyoro-Ganda (E.14)

Demographics: 1,580,000 (2002 census), increasing.

Language Use: Vigorous. Home, church. All ages. Positive attitudes. Most also use Nyankore [nyn], which is closely related. Used as L2 by Nyankore [nyn].

Language Development: Taught in primary schools. Taught in secondary schools, as a subject. Poetry. Newspapers. New media. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1989.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Uganda

Other Comments: Standardized form of the western varieties (Nyankore-Chiga and Nyoro-Tooro) is called Runyakitara. It is taught at the University and used in internet browsing, but is a hybrid language. Ethnic groups: Bachiga, Bahororo. Christian.