The Kalenjin languages are a group of twelve related Southern Nilotic languages spoken in Kenya, eastern Uganda and northern Tanzania. The term Kalenjin comes from a Nandi expression meaning 'I say (to you)'.
The Kalenjin languages are generally distinguished into four sub-branches. There is less certainty regarding internal relationships within those four main branches. The following internal classification is based on the Ethnologue, 15th edition (2005):
- Elgon languages
- Kupsabiny (Uganda)
- Sabaot (Kenya)
- Nandi-Markweta languages
- Markweta languages
- Endo language (Kenya)
- Talai language (Kenya)
- Nandi languages
- Aramanik language (Kenya)
- Kalenjin language (Kenya)
- (including Kipsigis, Nandi, Terik, and Keiyo dialects)
- Kisankasa language (Tanzania)
- Mediak language (Tanzania)
- Mosiro language (Tanzania)
- Tugen language (Kenya)
- Okiek language (Kenya, Tanzania)
- Kinare dialect (extinct)
- Sogoo dialect (endangered)
- Akiek dialect (endangered)
- Pökoot language (Kenya)
References
- Rottland, Franz (1982) Die Südnilotischen Sprachen: Beschreibung, Vergleichung und Rekonstruktion (Kölner Beiträge zur Afrikanistik vol. 7). Berlin: Dietrich Reimer. (See esp. map 1 on p. 31, and the 'Sprachbeschreibung' of the Kalenjin languages on pp. 69–143.)
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