The origin and introduction of Runyakitara
This is the study of different languages that were found in the empire of Kitara. The teaching of Runyakitara is traced back in the 1990’s and it was introduced by the linguists of Makerere University when they had started the teaching of Bachelors of Runyakitara. Runyakitara comprises of different dialects. And the main dialects include Runyankore-Rukiga and Runyoro-Rutooro that were combined and now called Runyakitara. Just because of the high mutual intelligibility that is found among the different Runyakitara dialects shown above. Though Uganda includes Sudanic, Nilotic and Bantu languages, none of the languages is spoken by more than 20% of the population. And here we are going to look at how close these Runyakitara languages are:
RUNYANKORE
Runyankore is a language that is spoken by the Banyankore in Western part of Uganda that was originally known as Ankole. According to the census reports of 2014, it was found out that Runyankore is spoken by a total number of four million four hundred twenty thousand people. And the Banyankore are found in the following districts; Mbarara, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Kiruhuura, Ibanda, Isingiro, Mitooma, Rubiriizi, Rukungiri, Kamwengye, Sheema, Rwampara, Buhweju and Kazo districts. Statistics show that Runyankore has a high mutual intelligibility with other Runyakitara languages such as Runyoro, Rutooro and Rukiga as shown below; Runyankore-Runyoro 76%-96%, Runyankore - Rukiga 84%-97% Runyankore-Rutooro 75%-90% respectively.
RUKIGA
Rukiga is a language that is spoken by the Bakiga and they are also found in the Western part of Uganda that was originally known as Kigezi. According to the census reports of 2014, it was found out that Rukiga is spoken by a total number of two million three hundred ninety thousand people. And the Bakiga are found in the following districts; Kabale, Rukiga, Rubanda, Kanungu, Rukungiri, Kibaare and in some parts of Mitooma, Ntungamo and Kisoro. And statistics show that Rukiga has a high mutual intelligibility with other Runyakitara languages ie Runyankore, Runyoro, Rutooro as shown; Rukiga-Runyankore 89%, Rukiga-Runyoro 77% and Rukiga-Rutooro 68% respectively.
RUTOORO
Rutooro is a language that is spoken by the Batooro and they are also found in the Western part of Uganda that was originally known as Tooro. According to the census reports of 2014, it was found out that Rutooro is spoken by a total number of eight hundred forty six thousand people. And the Batooro are found in the following districts; Bundibugyo, Kabarore, Kamwengye, Kasese, kibaale, kyegegwa, Ntoroko, Kyengyegyo, and Kyaka. And statistics show that Rutooro has a high mutual intelligibility with other Runyakitara languages ie Runyankore, Runyoro, Rukiga as shown; Rutooro-Runyoro 93-78%, Rutooro-Rukiga 68-73% respectively.
RUNYORO
Runyoro is a language that is spoken by the Banyoro and they are also found in the Western part of Uganda that was originally known as Bunyoro. According to the census reports of 2014, it was found out that Runyoro is spoken by a total number of nine hundred sixty-seven thousand people. And the Banyoro are found in the following districts; Buliisa, Hoima, Masindi, kabaale, kiryandongo and in some parts of Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa and Kyengyogyo.
It should be noted that also Runyakitara as a language and its dialects also have sub dialects and variations as shown below:
| RUNYAKITARA | RUNYANKORE-RUKIGA | RUNYORO-RUTOORO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RUNYAKORE | RUKIGA | RUNYORO | RUTOORO |
As shown above, Runyakitara is a language that has different dialects which are: Runyankore-Rukiga and Runyoro-rutooro, which also have different variations and these are:
- RUNYANKORE: Runyaruguru, Rukooki, Runyankore, Runyasheema, and Rutagwenda
- RUKIGA: Runyangyezi, Runyaifo, Runyautumbi, Rugyeri, Orisiigi, Ruheesi and Ruhimba.
- RUTOORO: Rusongora, Rutuku, Runyakyaka, Ruhwisi and Runtansozi.
- RUNYORO: Ruhuri, Runyara, Rungangizi and Ruhungu.
The teaching of Runyakitara reminds us of the big empire that took the largest part in Uganda and it comprised of Bunyooro, Tooro, Ankole, Kigezi and Karagwe hence it was given the name Bunyoro-kitara kingdom. And due to the high mutual intelligibility, the linguists found it good combining them as one to be called Runyakitara.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY/ EBIGYENDERERWA
- To when, who and where the teaching of Runyakitara began from.
- To know the different dialects that are found in Runyakitara
- To be able to analyze different sub dialects and variations that are found in Runyakitara and the different people that use these languages.
- To explain and analyze reasons as to why a sub dialect may have very many and different variations.
- To analyze the challenges found in trying combine very many languages into one major language.
- To find out the reasons as to why it is still difficult to have one major language spoken by the people that were found in Bunyoro-kitara kingdom.
RUNYAKITARA SIMPLE ORTHOGRAPHY.
The Runyankore-Rukiga orthography was standardized at Mbarara conference in 1954, and the decisions arrived at were subsequently published with commendable speed. However much more was needed for a spelling system to be taught in schools.
This is intended to provide a simple means of mastering the correct spelling of Runyankore-Rukiga, by means of complicated rules, as through examples if anyone takes trouble to work through examples carefully himself or herself, he/she will find it easier to set good standard of spelling which he/she may follow.
All words in Runyankore - Rukiga a created by combining the letters that are found on the Runyankore-Rukiga alphabetical chat as we shall see in the following paragraphs.
Just like in other languages, Runyankore-Rukiga also has both vowels and consonants which are shown below.
