Nkore language


Nkore is a Bantu language spoken by the Nkore and Hima peoples of south-western Uganda in the former province of Ankole.
Runyankole is mainly spoken in the Mbarara, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Isingiro, and Rukungiri 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: /a, e, i, o, u/.

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:
Oraire ota Replies: I'm fine Ndeire gye or Ndyaho
Oraire gye?
Reply: Yes, fine, okay
Kare
Osiibire ota Replies: Nsiibire gye
Osiibire gye Replies: Yes- Eego or nsiibire gye
Waasiiba ota Reply: Fine, good, I've spent it well – Naasiiba gye