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

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 (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

Gumuz

Gumuz

Koman

Gule, Kwama, Opuuo, Uduk, Komo

Kunama

Karanga

Mabang

Kendeje, Maba, Marfa, Massalat, Masalit, Surbakhal, Kibet, Runga.

Eastern

Berti, Zaghawa

Western

Bilma Kanuri, Kanembu, Manga Kanuri, Central Kanuri, Tumari Kanuri, Dazaga, Tedaga.

Korandje

Northern

Tadaksahak, Tasawaq

Southern

Dendi, Zarma, Songhay, Koyra Chiini Songhay, Koyraboro Senni Songhay.

Unclassified

Kanga, Keiga, Krongo, Shabo, Tumtum, Tulishi, Katcha-Kadugli-Miri.

Fur

Amdang, Fur, Mimi




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