Lugbara language
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".<templatestyles src="Template:Infobox/styles-images.css" />Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
Lugbara, or Lugbarati, is the language of the Lugbara people. It is spoken in the West Nile region in northwestern Uganda, as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Orientale Province with a little extension to the South Sudan as the Zande or Azande people.[1]
Classification and dialects
The Aringa language, also known as Low Lugbara, is closely related, and sometimes considered a dialect of Lugbara. In fact, among the Lugbara of Uganda, it is one of the five clans (Ayivu clan, Vurra clan, Terego clan, Maracha clan, and Aringa clan).[2] Some scholars classify the Lugbara language itself as a dialect of the Maʼdi language, though this is not generally accepted.[3] An SIL survey report concluded that the Okollo, Ogoko, and Rigbo dialects, called "Southern Maʼdi", should be classified as dialects of Lugbara.
Phonology
Vowels
- /ɛ, ɔ/ can also be heard as [e, o] as a result of vowel harmony.
- /a/ can have an allophone of [ʌ] when after sounds /k, ɡ/.[4]
Consonants
| Labial | Dental | Alveolar | Postalv./ Palatal |
Velar | Labial- velar |
Glottal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| plain | trilled | ||||||||
| Nasal | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | (Template:IPAlink) | |||||
| Plosive/ Affricate |
voicelessScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | (Template:IPAlink) | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink |
| voicedScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | (Template:IPAlink) | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | ||
| prenasalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | ||||
| implosiveScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | |||||||
| Fricative | voicelessScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | |||||
| voicedScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | |||||||
| prenasalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | |||||||
| Trill | Template:IPAlink | ||||||||
| Tap | (Template:IPAlink) | ||||||||
| Approximant | lateralScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPAlink | |||||||
| plainScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | |||||||
| preglottalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:IPAlink | Template:IPAlink | |||||||
- /l/ can be heard as a lateral flap Template:IPAblink within dialectal variation.[5]
- /t͡s, d͡z/ are heard as [t͡ʃ, d͡ʒ] within dialectal variation.
- /tʳ, dʳ/ can also be heard as retroflex [ʈɽ, ɖɽ] within free variation.
- /ʔj/ can also be heard as an implosive Template:IPAblink and /ⁿz/ can be heard as [ⁿd͡z], within free variation.
- A labial affricate Template:IPAblink may occur within dialectal variation, Template:IPAblink only rarely occurs among different dialects.
Orthography
Lugbara was first written by Christian missionaries in 1918, based on the Ayivu dialect. In 2000, a conference was held in the city of Arua in northwestern Uganda regarding the creation of a standardised international orthography for Lugbara.[6]
The Simplified Lugbara alphabet has 28 letters. there is no q or x, and there are four letters for glottalized consonants, namely: ʼb as in ʼbua, ʼd as in ʼdia, ʼw as in ʼwara, and ʼy as in ʼyeta.
In education
In 1992, the Government of Uganda designated it as one of five "languages of wider communication" to be used as the medium of instruction in primary education; however, unlike the other four such languages, it was never actually used in schools.[6] More recently it was included in the curriculum for some secondary schools in the West Nile region, including St. Joseph's College Ombaci and Muni Girls Secondary School, both in Arua District.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Vocabulary
Numbers
| Number | Translation |
|---|---|
| 0. | Toko/ ogbo |
| 1. | Alu |
| 2. | Iri |
| 3. | Na |
| 4. | Su |
| 5. | Towi/ tawu |
| 6. | Azia |
| 7. | Aziri |
| 8. | Aro |
| 9. | Oromi |
| 10. | Mudri/ modri |
| 11. | Mudri drini alu |
| 12. | Mudri drini iri |
| 13. | Mudri drini na |
| 20. | Kali iri |
| 21. | Kali iri drini alu |
| 22. | Kali iri drini iri |
| 23. | Kali iri drini na |
| 30. | Kali na |
| 40. | Kali su |
| 100. | Turu alu |
| 500. | Turu towi |
| 900. | Turu oromi |
| 5,000. | Alifu towi |
| 4M. | Milioni su |
| 7B. | Bilioni aziri |
| 12T. | Trilioni mudri drini iri |
Greetings and other phrases
| Lugbara | English |
|---|---|
| Mi ifu ngoni? | How did you wake up?/ Good morning! |
| (Mi) ngoni? | How (are you)? |
| (Ma) muke! | (I'm) fine! |
| Ma azoru! | I'm sick! |
| Mi aa ngoni? | How did you stay? |
| Ayiko ni ma fu! | Happiness is killing me!/ I'm happy! |
| Abiri ni ma fu(fu)! | Hunger is killing me!/ I'm hungry! |
| Sa(w)a si? | What time is it? |
| Etu alu oʼbitisi. | 7:00 a.m. [To tell time, you mention the number on the opposite side of the clock. Etu iri is 8 o'clock, etu na is 9 o'clock, etc.] |
| Etu mudri drini alu | 5:00 p.m. |
| Mi efi! | Come in! |
| Ife mani yi! | Give me water! |
| Kirikiri! | Please! |
| Ada! | True! |
| Inzo! | Lies! |
| Iko ma aza! | Help me! |
| Ine! | See! |
| Mi a'bua ozi si? | How much do you sell bananas? |
| Ajeni si? | How much [is the price]? |
| A le Obangulu! | I want mashed whiteants! |
| Ma mu Gili Gili-a ngoni? | How do I get to Gili Gili? |
| Arojo ngoa? | Where is the drugshop/clinic/hospital? |
| Mi ru a'di-i? | What is your name? |
| Ma ru Aiko-i! | I'm called Aiko! |
| Te mi-i? | How about you? |
| Mi omve ma Letasi! | You call me Letasi! |
| Awaʼdi fo! | Thanks! |
| A le mi! | I love you!/I need you!/I want you! |
| Mi ma asi (ni). | You are my heart. |
| Ma enga Ediofe-a. | I'm from Ediofe. |
| Ma mu kanisa-a. | I'm going to church. |
| Mi ma agi! | You are my friend! |
| Ma mu Ojapi-a ngoni? | How do I get to Ojapi? |
| Masikiti ngoa? | Where is the mosque? |
| Mi ma ji Ragemu-a ra? | Can you take me to Ragem? |
| Iji ma Ringili-a! | Take me to Ringili! |
| 'Ba mucele ozi ngoa? | Where is rice sold? |
| Aje/ andru/ drusi/ drozi | Yesterday/ today/ tomorrow/ the day after tomorrow |
| Ila muke! | Sleep well! |
| A le ra! | I do want! [The word 'ra' after a verb denotes positivity.] |
| A le ku! | I don't want! [The word 'ku' after a verb denotes negativity.] |
Relationships
Grandfather (aʼbi, aʼbipi)
Grandmother (dede, edapi, e'di)
Grandson (mvia)
Granddaughter (zia)
Father (ati, ata)
Mother (andri, andre, ayia)
Husband (agupi)
Wife (oku)
Son (agupiamva, mvi)
Daughter (zamva, zi)
Brother (adri)
Sister (amvi)
Uncles (paternal: atapuru [singular], atapuruka [plural]; maternal: Script error: No such module "lang". [singular], Script error: No such module "lang". [plural])
Aunts (paternal: Script error: No such module "lang". [singular], Script error: No such module "lang". [plural and in some cases maternal]; maternal: Script error: No such module "lang". [singular], Script error: No such module "lang". [plural]
Cousin (Script error: No such module "lang".)
Cousin brother(s) (Script error: No such module "lang".); also Script error: No such module "lang".
Cousin sister(s) (Script error: No such module "lang".); also Script error: No such module "lang".
NB: Strictly speaking, the word cousin is alien in Lugbara culture. Cousins are brothers and sisters.
Nephews (adro anzi) - maternal nephews
Nieces (adro ezoanzi, ezapi) - maternal nieces
Father-in-law (anya)
Mother-in-law (edra)
Brother-in-law (oti, otuo)
Sister-in-law (onyere)
Days of the week
1 week (Sabatu alu, sabiti alu, yinga alu, yumula alu)
A day is called Oʼdu in Lugbara.
Sunday (Script error: No such module "lang".)
Monday (Oʼdu alu)
Tuesday (Oʼdu iri)
Wednesday (Oʼdu na)
Thursday (Oʼdu su)
Friday (Oʼdu towi)
Saturday (Oʼdu azia, Sabato)
Calendar
The simplest way to refer to months (Mba in Lugbara) is to use numbers, for example January is Mba Alu, February is Mba Iri, May is Mba Towi and so on. But below is the other Latinized (and seasonal) way of mentioning them.
Januari/ Oco ʼdupa sere (January)
Feburili/ Kuluni (February)
Marici/ Zengulu (March)
Aprili/ Ayi - Wet season (April)
Mayi/ Ayi Eti (May)
Juni/ Emveki (June)
Julayi/ Eri (July)
Agoslo/ Iripaku (August)
Sebitemba/ Lokopere (September)
Okitoba/ Abibi (October)
Novemba/ Waa (November)
Desemba/ Anyu fi kuma (December)
Common signs
| Lugbara | English |
|---|---|
| Agupi | Men |
| Oku | Women |
Colours
Eka, Ika by Terego (red)
Foro foro (gray)
Foroto (grayish)
Script error: No such module "lang". (white)
Script error: No such module "lang". (very pure white)
Imvesi-enisi (black and white)
Ini (black)
Inibiricici, inicici, inikukuru (very dark)
Food
| Lugbara | English |
|---|---|
| Mucele | Rice |
| Fun(y)o | Groundnut |
| Gbanda/ Ola | Cassava |
| Osu | Bean, Kaiko in Terego dialect |
| Burusu/ Buruso | Guinea pea |
| Kaka | Maize |
| Ago | Pumpkin |
| Anyu | Simsim |
| Ondu | Sorghum |
| Maaku | Potato |
| (M)ayu(ni) | Yam |
| Onya | Whiteant |
| Ope | Guinea fowl |
| Au | Chicken |
| Eza | Meat |
| Ti eza | Cow meat |
| Ndri eza | Goat meat |
| Eʼbi | Fish |
| Kawa | Coffee |
| Majani | Tea |
| I'di | Porridge |
| Kpete | Beer |
| Mbasala | Onion |
| Nyanya | Tomato |
| Cikiri/ Osu nyiri | Chick pea |
Lugbara AI
Lugbara AI refers to Artificial Intelligence technology or machines that use Lugbara. The Sunbird Translate system[7] can automatically take text from Lugbara.[8] It includes locally relevant topics such as healthcare, agriculture and society.[9] With its partners including Makerere University AI Lab, Sunbird AI (a Ugandan startup) has built open Lugbara datasets, translation and speech systems. It is also used by banks.[10]
Furthermore, other developers are also working on projects.[11]
See also
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Sunbird AI. "Translation and Speech".
- ↑ Ministry of ICT (26 January 2023). "Ministry of ICT and National Guidance to Leverage AI to Drive The ICT Innovation Agenda Across Uganda in a Partnership With Sunbird AI".
- ↑ Ntezza, Michael. Chimp Reports (24 January 2024). "Gov't, Sunbird AI Partner to Boost English to Local Languages Translation".
- ↑ Centenary Group. "Centenary to Deploy Artificial Intelligence Across Uganda".
- ↑ IndabaX Uganda. "Deep Learning IndabaX Hackathon".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Further reading
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Template:Central Sudanic languages Template:Languages of Uganda Template:Languages of the Democratic Republic of the Congo