Alternate Names: Irangi, Kilaangi, Kilangi, Kirangi, Rangi
Dialects: Busi, Haubi, Kolo, Kondoa, Mondo. Limited comprehension of other languages. Lexical similarity: 74% with Mbugwe ,, 49% with Nyaturu , and Sukuma ,, 48% with Nyamwezi ,, 47% with Kimbu , and Nilamba ,, 40% with Sumbwa ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 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.
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.
Typology: SVO.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Tanzania
Other Comments: Influenced by Cushitic languages. The Swahili pronounce Langi as Rangi. Other language groups (eg. Burunge ,, Alagwa ,) are being assimilated into Langi language and culture. Muslim, Christian (Protestant), Christian (Roman Catholic).