Dialects: Damba, Kadugli (Dakalla, Dhalla, Kudugli, Morta, Talla, Toma Ma Dalla), Katcha (Dholubi, Tolubi), Miri, Tumma. Stevenson (1984) treats them as dialects of one language. Ruhlen (1987) and Schadeberg (1989) treat them as separate. Samir Bulus says that Tumma is dialect of Katcha. Lexical similarity: 85% among Katcha, Kadugli, and Miri dialects, 88% between Kadugli and Damba.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 75,000 (2004 SIL). 30,000 Katcha and Kadugli (2004), 4,000 Miri.
Language Use: Some young people, all adults. Also use Sudanese Spoken Arabic [apd].
Language Development: Orthography and literacy materials used in Katcha, Kadugli, and Miri. Bible portions: 2003–2011.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Sudan