# Central Kilimanjaro language

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Bantu language spoken in Tanzania

Central Kilimanjaro Central Chaga Native to Tanzania Region Kilimanjaro Ethnicity Chaga Language family Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Volta-Congo Benue–Congo Bantoid Southern Bantoid Bantu Northeast Bantu Chaga–Taita Chaga Central Kilimanjaro Dialects Mochi Uru Mbokomu Wuunjo Language codes ISO 639-3 Either: vun – Wunjo old – Mochi Glottolog vunj1238 Vunjo moch1256 Mochi Guthrie code E.622 (ex-E.62a,62b)[1]

**Central Kilimanjaro**, or **Central Chaga**, is a [Bantu](/source/Bantu_languages) language of [Tanzania](/source/Tanzania) spoken by the [Chaga people](/source/Chaga_people).

## Dialects

There are several dialects:[1]

- [Moshi](/source/Mochi_language) (Old Moshi, Mochi, *Kimochi*)

- Uru

- Mbokomu

- Wuunjo (Wunjo, Vunjo, *Kivunjo*), including Kiruwa, Kilema, Mamba, Moramu (Marangu), Mwika

Moshi is the language of the Chaga cultural capital, [Moshi](/source/Moshi%2C_Kilimanjaro), and the [prestige dialect](/source/Prestige_dialect) of the [Chaga languages](/source/Chaga_languages).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Phonology

### Vowels

Front Central Back High i u Mid e o Low a

In orthography, long vowels are written double. However, while older works suggest vowel length contrast may have formerly been phonemic, more recent works suggest the distinction has been partially or completely neutralized, unlike in [West Kilimanjaro](/source/West_Kilimanjaro_language).[2]

### Consonants

Consonants in the Moshi dialect[3][4] Labial Alveolar Post- alveolar Palatal Velar Glottal Nasal m ⟨m⟩ n ⟨n⟩ ɲ ⟨ny⟩ ŋ ⟨ng'⟩ Stop voiceless p ⟨p⟩ t ⟨t⟩ k ⟨k⟩ voiced b ⟨b⟩ d ⟨d⟩ NC mb ⟨mb⟩ nd ⟨nd⟩ ŋɡ ⟨ng⟩ Affricate voiceless pf ⟨pf⟩ ts ⟨ts⟩ tʃ ⟨ch⟩ NC mbv ⟨mpf⟩ ndz ⟨nts⟩ ndʒ ⟨nch⟩ Fricative voiceless f ⟨f⟩ s ⟨s⟩ ʃ ⟨sh⟩ h ⟨h⟩ Rhotic trill r ⟨r⟩ tap ɾ ⟨r⟩ Lateral l ⟨l⟩ Approximant w ~ β ⟨w⟩ ɻ ⟨rh⟩ j ⟨y⟩

- Consonants /k, ŋɡ, l/ become palatalized to [kʲ, ŋɡʲ, lʲ] when occurring before the front vowels /i, e/.

- /w/ appears as a fricative [β] when before the front vowels /i, e/.[5][4]

Consonants in the Vunjo dialect[5][6] Labial Dental/ Alveolar Post- alveolar Palatal Velar Glottal Nasal m ⟨m⟩ n̪ ⟨n⟩ ɲ ⟨ny⟩ ŋ ⟨ng'⟩ Stop voiceless p ⟨p⟩ t̪ ⟨t⟩ c ⟨ky⟩ k ⟨k⟩ voiced (b) ⟨b⟩ d ⟨d⟩ (ɡ) ⟨g⟩ NC‡ m̩b ⟨mb⟩ n̩d ⟨nd⟩ ɲ̍ɟ ⟨ngy⟩ ŋ̍ɡ ⟨ng⟩ Affricate voiceless pf ⟨pf⟩ ts ⟨ts⟩ tʃ ⟨c⟩ NC‡ m̩bv ⟨mv⟩ n̩dz ⟨nz⟩ n̩dʒ ⟨nj⟩ Fricative voiceless f ⟨f⟩ s ⟨s⟩ ʃ ⟨sh⟩ h ⟨h⟩ voiced ʝ ~ j ⟨ghy⟩ ɣ ~ w ⟨gh⟩ Rhotic trill r ⟨r⟩† tap ɺ ⟨lr⟩ Lateral l̪ ⟨l⟩† l̠ʲ ⟨ly⟩ Approximant w ~ β ⟨w⟩ ɹ ⟨zr⟩† j ⟨y⟩

- /b/ and /ɡ/ are restricted to loans. /l̠ʲ/ is native and contrasts with the [ʎ] allophone of /l̪/ but is rare.

- /t n l/ are dental, /d/ et al. are alveolar.

- The consonants /k, ŋɡ, ɣ/ and /l̪/ become palatal (and merge with the palatals) when occurring before the front vowels /i, e/.

- /w/ appears as a fricative [β] when before the front vowels /i, e/.[5]

- The dental lateral /l̪/ is usually velarized as [ɫ̪].

- /ɹ/ is also heard as postalveolar [ɹ̠].

‡ NC are not [prenasalized consonants](/source/Prenasalized_consonant) but rather consonant sequences; in initial position, the nasal is syllabic.

† /r/, /ɹ/ and /l̠ʲ/ may be pronounced as fricatives. /r/ being heard as an alveolar fricative trill [r̝], the /ɹ/ being heard as a retroflex fricative [ɻ̝], with an extent of frication on the palatalized lateral /l̠ʲ/ as [l̠̝ʲ].[7]

### Tones

Vunjo dialect has two underlying tones (high /H/ and low /L/) that surface as three level and five contour tones: [xH] (extra-high), [H], [L], falling [HL] and [xHL], rising [LH] and [LxH], and peaking [LHL], plus two downstepped tones [ꜝH] and [ꜝxH].[5]

## Bibliography

- Dalgish, Gerard M. (1978) 'The syntax and semantics of the morpheme ni in kiVunjo (Chaga)', *Kiswahili*, 48, 1, 42–56.

- Philippson, Gérard (1984) '"Gens des bananeraies" (Tanzanie): contribution linguistique à l'histoire culturelle des Chaga du Kilimanjaro' (Cahier no. 16.) Paris: Editions Recherche sur les civilisations.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Guthrie_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Guthrie_1-1) Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. [New Updated Guthrie List Online](https://web.archive.org/web/20180203191542/http://goto.glocalnet.net/mahopapers/nuglonline.pdf)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Shinagawa, Daisuke (2015). ["Vowel Length and TMA Micro-Variation in Kilimanjaro Bantu"](https://files01.core.ac.uk/download/41885850.pdf) (PDF). *Asian and African Languages and Linguistics* (9): 5–21. [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[10108/80343](https://hdl.handle.net/10108%2F80343).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Nurse, Derek; Philippson, Gérard (1977). *Tone in Old Moshi (Chaga)*. Studies in African linguistics 8: University of California, Los Angeles. pp. 49–80.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: location ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_4-1) Philippson, Gérard; Montlahuc, Marie-Laure (2003). *Kilimanjaro Bantu (E60 and E74)*. In Nurse, Derek and Philippson, Gérard (eds.), The Bantu Languages: London & New York: Routledge. pp. 475–500.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_5-3) McHugh, Brian David (1990). [*Cyclicity in the phrasal phonology of KiVunjo Chaga*](https://linguistics.ucla.edu/images/stories/McHugh.1990.pdf) (PDF). University of California at Los Angeles.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Ladefoged, Peter](/source/Peter_Ladefoged); [Maddieson, Ian](/source/Ian_Maddieson) (1996). [*The Sounds of the World's Languages*](/source/The_Sounds_of_the_World's_Languages). Oxford: Blackwell. pp. 210–211. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-631-19815-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-631-19815-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Davey, Moshi & Maddieson (1982) Liquids in Chaga. *UCLA Working Papers in Phonetics* 54..

v t e Languages of Tanzania Official languages Swahili English Indigenous languages Bantu Northeast Bantu Bena–Kinga Bena Hehe Kinga Kisi Manda Pangwa Sangu Vwanji Chaga Central Kilimanjaro Mochi Gweno Rombo Rusa West Kilimanjaro Great Lakes Ha Hangaza Ikizu Ikoma Jita Kabwa Kara Kerewe Kuria Kwaya Ngoreme Nyambo Suba-Simbiti Sumbwa Vinza Zanaki Zinza Kikuyu–Kamba Sonjo Northeast Coast Digo Doe Gogo Kagulu Kami Kutu Kwere Luguru Ngulu Sagara Shambala Vidunda Zaramo Takama Holoholo Iramba Isanzu Kimbu Nyamwezi Sukuma Turu Kilombero Mbunga Ndamba Pogolo Rufiji–Ruvuma Tumbuka Matengo Matumbi Mpoto Mwera Ndendeule Ndengereko Ndonde Ngindo Ngoni Nindi Yao Rukwa Bungu Fipa Lambya Malila Mambwe-Lungu Mwanga Nyakyusa Nyiha Nyika Safwa Wanda Other Bantu Bemba Makhuwa Mbamba Bay Mbugwe Rangi Cushitic Alagwa Asa Burunge Gorowa Iraqw Kwʼadza Nilotic Akie Datooga Kisankasa Kwavi Maasai Mediak Mosiro Ngasa Luo Ogiek Isolates/unclassified Hadza Sandawe Omaio "Serengeti-Dorobo" Sign languages 7 school sign languages

v t e Narrow Bantu languages (Zones E–H) (by Guthrie classification) Zone E [J]E10 [J]E11 Nyoro [J]E12 Tooro [J]E13 Nyankore [J]E14 Ciga [J]E15 Ganda [J]E16 Soga [J]E17 Gwere [J]E18 Nyala [JE101 Gungu JE102 Talinga-Bwisi JE103 Ruli JE121 Hema [J]E20 [J]E21 Nyambo [J]E22 Ziba [J]E23 Dzindza [J]E24 Kerebe [J]E25 Jita [JE221 Rashi JE251 Kwaya JE252 Kara JE253 Ruri [J]E30 [J]E31a Gisu [J]E31b Kisu [J]E31c Bukusu [J]E32a Hanga [J]E32b Tsotso [J]E33 Nyore [J]E34 Saamia [J]E35 Nyuli [JE341 Xaayo JE342 Marachi JE343 Songa [J]E40 [J]E41 Logooli [J]E42 Gusii [J]E43 Koria [J]E44 Zanaki [J]E45 Nata E46 Sonjo [JE401 Nguruimi JE402 Ikizu JE403 Suba/Suba-Simbiti JE404 Shashi JE405 Kabwa JE406 Singa JE407 Ware JE411 Idaxo JE412 Isuxa JE413 Tiriki JE431 Simbiti JE432 Hacha JE433 Surwa JE434 Sweta E50 E51 Kikuyu E52 Embu E53 Meru E54 Saraka E55 Kamba E56 Daiso [E531 Mwimbi-Muthambi E541 Cuka E60 E61[621a] Rwo E62a[621b,622a] Hai E62b[622c] Wunjo E62c[623] Rombo E63 Rusa E64 Kahe E65 Gweno E70 E71 Pokomo E72a Gyriama E72b Kauma E72c Conyi E72d Duruma E72e Rabai E73 Digo E74a Dabida E74b[741] Sagala [E701 Elwana E731 Segeju E732 Degere E74 Taita Zone F F10 F11 Tongwe F12 Bende [J]F20 [J]F21 Sukuma [J]F22 Nyamwezi [J]F23 Sumbwa [J]F24 Kimbu [J]F25 Bungu F30 F31 Nilamba F32 Remi F33 Langi F34 Mbugwe Zone G G10 G11 Gogo G12 Kaguru G20 G21 Tubeta G22 Asu G23 Shambala G24 Bondei [G221 Mbugu G30 G31 Zigula G32 Ngwele G33 Zaramo G34 Ngulu G35 Ruguru G36 Kami G37 Kutu G38 Vidunda G39 Sagala [G301 Doe G311 Mushungulu G40 G41 Tikuu G42a Amu G42b Mvita G42c Mrima G42d Unguja G43a Phemba G43b Tumbatu G43c Hadimu G44a Ngazija G44b Njuani [G402 Makwe G403 Mwani G404 Sidi G411 Socotra Swahili G412 Mwiini G50 G51 Pogolo G52 Ndamba G60 G61 Sango G62 Hehe G63 Bena G64 Pangwa G65 Kinga G66 Wanji G67 Kisi [G651 Magoma Zone H H10 H11 Beembe H12 Vili H13 Kunyi H14 Ndingi H15 Mboka H16a South Kongo H16b Central Kongo H16c Yombe H16d Fiote H16e Bwende H16f Laadi H16g East Kongo H16h Southeast Kongo [H111 Hangala H112 Kamba-Doondo H131 Suundi H20 H21a Kimbundu H21b Mbamba H22 Sama H23 Bolo H24 Songo H30 H31 Yaka H32 Suku H33 [L12b] Hungu H34 Mbangala H35 Sinji [H321 Soonde H40 H41 Mbala H42 Hunganna Italics indicate extinct languages. Languages between parentheses are varieties of the language on their left. The Guthrie classification is geographic and its groupings do not imply a relationship between the languages within them. Narrow Bantu languages by Guthrie classification zone templates Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones A–B) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones C–D) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones E–H) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones J–M) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones N–S)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Central Kilimanjaro language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Kilimanjaro_language) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Kilimanjaro_language?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.