Kinyarwanda language

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|{{language |name=Kinyarwanda |familycolor=Niger-Congo |states=Rwanda |region=Central Africa |speakers=7 million |fam2=Atlantic-Congo |fam3=Volta-Congo |fam4=Benue-Congo |fam5=Bantoid |fam6=Southern |fam7=Narrow Bantu |fam8=Central |nation=Rwanda |iso1=rw|iso2=kin|iso3=kin}}

Kinyarwanda is the chief spoken language in Rwanda. It is also spoken in the east of DRC and in the south of Uganda (Bufumbira-area). Kinyarwanda is a tonal language of the Bantu language family (Guthrie D61). Kinyarwanda is closely related to Kirundi spoken in the neighboring country, Burundi and to Giha of western Tanzania.

The inhabitants of Rwanda and Burundi belong to three different ethnic groups(Although the validity of the ethnic nature is debatable; see [1]): Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa (a pygmy people). The fact that these ethnic groups share the same language is assumed to be the result of the Hutu outnumbering the latter two groups (see Hutu for a more complete historical perspective).

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Example translations

Yego

Yes

Oya

Ndabizi

I know

Simbizi

I don't know

Amazi

Water

Ndashaka amazi

I want water

Orushaka ikawa

Do you want coffee?

−

Bite

How are you? (Informal)

Witwande

What is your name?

Toilete iri hehe?

Where's the bathroom?

Nitwa…

My name is…

Amahoro

Peace

Murakoze

Thank you

Amakuru

How are you? (formal)

Nimeza

(I'm) fine

Igichuchu

Stupid

−

Nkunda abatorage ba Rwanda

I like Rwandan people

−

Ndi

I am

−

Abana

Children

−

Igiparu

Good conversation

−

Inka

Cow

Muraho

Hello

−

Murabeho

Bye

Ijororyiza

Good night

Mwaramutseho

Good morning (Did you wake up well?)

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References

Jouannet, Francis (ed.) (1983). Template:Lang. Paris: Template:Lang (SELAF).
Kimenyi, Alexandre (1980). A Relational Grammar of Kinyarwanda. University of California Press.

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