Nilo-Saharan Languages

The Nilo-Saharan languages are a group of African languages spoken mainly in the upper parts of the Chari and Nile rivers, including Nubia. Roughly 11 million people spoke Nilo-Saharan languages as of 1987, according to Merritt Ruhlen's estimate. The family is internally extremely diverse - far more so than Indo-European, or even Niger-Congo - and is rather controversial; few historical linguists have attempted work on the family as a whole, and several have denied its validity. Particularly controversial is the inclusion of Songhay.

Berta (1)
Berta  
Central Sudanic (65)
East (22)
Lendu Bendi, Lendu, Ngiti
Mangbetu Asoa, Lombi, Mangbetu
Mangbutu-Efe Efe, Lese, Mamvu, Mangbutu, Mvuba, Ndo
Moru-Madi - Central: Aringa, Avokaya, Keliko, Logo, Lugbara, Omi,
- Northern: Ma'di,
- Southern: Southern Ma'di, Olu'bo, Moru
West (43)
- Bongo-Bagirmi
Bongo-Baka Baka, Bongo, Jur Modo, Beli, Mo'da, Morokodo, Nyamusa-Molo, Mittu
Kara Furu, Gula, Yuru
Sara-Bagirmi - Bagirmi: Bemde, Bagirmi, Berakou, Disa, Gula, Jaya, Kenga, Naba,
- Sara: Bedjond, Dagba, Gor, Gulay, Horo, Kaba, Laka, Mango, Sar, Mbay, Ngam, Sara Dunjo, Kaba Deme, Kaba Na, Kulfa, Sara Kaba, Ngambay, Lutos, Vale,
- Birri, Fongoro
Sinyar Sinyar
- Kresh
  Aja, Gbaya
Eastern Sudanic (95)
Eastern (26)
Eastern Jebel Aka, Kelo, Molo, Gaam
Nara Nara
Nubian - Central:Birked, Kenuzi-Dongola, Ghulfan, Kadaru, Dilling, Dair, El Hugeirat, Karko, Wali,
- Northern: Nobiin,
- Western: Midob
Surmic - North: Majang,
- South: Kwegu, Me'en, Mursi, Suri, Didinga, Narim, Murle, Tennet, Kacipo-Balesi
Kuliak (3)
Ik Ik
Ngangea-So Nyang'i, Soo
Nilotic (52)
Eastern - Bari: Bari, Kakwa, Mandari,
- Lotuxo-Teso: Dongotono, Lokoya, Lango, Otuho, Lopit, Maasai, Ngasa, Samburu, Teso, Karamojong, Nyangatom, Toposa, Turkana
Southern - Kalenjin: Kupsabiny, Sabaot, Endo, Talai, Aramanik, Kalenjin, Kisankasa, Mediak, Mosiro, North Tugen, Okiek, Pökoot,
- Tatoga: Datooga, Omotik
Western - Dinka-Nuer: South Central Dinka, Southwestern Dinka, Northeastern Dinka, Northwestern Dinka, Southeastern Dinka, Reel, Nuer,
- Luo: Southeastern Dinka, Reel, Nuer, Anuak, Belanda Bor, Luwo, Burun, Jumjum, Mabaan, Shiluk, Thuri, Päri, Adhola, Kumam, Alur, Acholi, Lango, Luo
Western (14)
Daju Logorik, Shatt, Baygo, Dar Daju Daju, Dar Fur Daju, Dar Sila Daju, Njalgulgule
Nyimang Afitti, Ama
Tama Mararit, Assangori, Tama
Temein Tese, Temein
Komuz (6)
Gumuz Gumuz
Koman Gule, Kwama, Opuuo, Uduk, Komo
Kunama (1)
Kunama  
Maban (9)
Karanga  
Mabang Kendeje, Maba, Marfa, Massalat, Masalit, Surbakhal, Kibet, Runga
Saharan (9)
Eastern Berti, Zaghawa
Western Bilma Kanuri, Kanembu, Manga Kanuri, Central Kanuri, Tumari Kanuri, Dazaga, Tedaga
Songhai (8)
Korandje  
Northern Tadaksahak, Tasawaq
Southern Dendi, Zarma, Songhay, Koyra Chiini Songhay, Koyraboro Senni Songhay.
Unclassified (7)
Unclassified Kanga, Keiga, Krongo, Shabo, Tumtum, Tulishi, Katcha-Kadugli-Miri.
Fur (3)
Fur Amdang, Fur, Mimi



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