# Rangi language > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Rangi_language > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Rangi_language.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangi_language > Source revision: 1333786839 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Bantu language For the Lango people, see [Lango people](/source/Lango_people). Rangi Kɨlaangi Native to Tanzania Ethnicity Rangi Native speakers 410,000 (2007)[1] Language family Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Volta-Congo Benue–Congo Bantoid Southern Bantoid Bantu (Zone F) Mbugwe–Rangi Rangi Language codes ISO 639-3 lag Glottolog lang1320 Guthrie code F.33[2] This article contains IPA phonetic symbols. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Unicode characters. For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA. **Rangi** or **Langi** (native name: *Kɨlaangi*[3]) is a [Bantu language](/source/Bantu_language) spoken by the [Rangi people](/source/Rangi_people) of [Kondoa District](/source/Kondoa_District) in the [Dodoma Region](/source/Dodoma_Region) of Central [Tanzania](/source/Tanzania). Whilst the language is known as Rangi in English and Kirangi in the dominant [Swahili](/source/Swahili_language) spoken throughout the [African Great Lakes](/source/African_Great_Lakes), the self-referent term is Kilaangi. Estimates at the number of Rangi-speakers range from 270,000[4] to 410,000 speakers.[5] Rangi is the largest linguistic group in the [Babati-Kondoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Babati-Kondoa_Region&action=edit&redlink=1) region. Two main varieties of Rangi are identified - that spoken in the Rangi Highlands (known in [Swahili](/source/Swahili_language) as Irangi ya Juu) and that of the Lowlands (Irangi ya Chini). Despite differences, these varieties are mutually intelligible. However, some dialectal variation is also found between the varieties spoken in the main town of [Kondoa](/source/Kondoa_Mjini), as well as in the surrounding villages of Bereko, Bukulu, Isabe, Humai, Kwadinu, Kolo, Choka, Gubali, Nkuku, Bicha, Kingale, Kelema, Paranga, Kidoka, Haubi and Mondo. ## Grammar Rangi exhibits the basic head-initial syntax commonly associated with Bantu languages. The languages exhibits a dominant SVO word order, with some variation in word order possible for pragmatic reasons. Also complements is language by adding an -ext at the end of most of all the words. ### Noun classes In common with many Bantu languages, Rangi employs a system of noun classes. Rangi has 19 [noun classes](/source/Noun_classes). Classes 1-10 show regular singular-plural distinctions (with odd numbers representing singular forms and even numbers representing the plural forms). Class 12 is used for (singular) diminutive nouns, class 15 contains infinitival nouns, classes 16 and 17 contain locative nouns, whilst class 19 contains plural diminutives nouns. - Classes 1/2 contain human nouns: kinship terms, professions, ethnicities, nationalities etc. - Class 3/4 contain natural phenomena, trees and plants, body parts which exhibit a part-whole relationship. - Classes 5/6 contain nouns which host the prefix i- or ri-. - Classes 7/8 contain nouns which denote inanimate objects including tools. - Classes 9/10 contain nouns denoting a wide range of entities. The nouns in these classes contain prefixes that consist of an underspecified nasal which assimilates to the place of articulation. - Class 11 has been reconstructed to contain nouns which are long in shape. In Rangi, nouns that cover an extensive area, or have an extensive reach are also included in this class. - Class 12 contains nouns which convey diminutive meanings. In some instances the diminutive prefix ka- appears alongside the 'original' noun class prefix, whilst in other instances the diminutive prefix replaces the noun class prefix. - Class 14 contains non-count nouns and abstract nouns that do not have a plural counterpart. The nouns of class 14 which do have plural counterparts are found in either class 6 or class 10. ### Verb-auxiliary order Rangi has come to the attention of linguists due to a number of features it exhibits which are unusual for [Bantu](/source/Bantu_languages) languages. Included in this is the verb-auxiliary ordering found in two tenses in the languages.[6] In the immediate future and general future tense, the auxiliary appears after the verb in declarative main clauses. This order is unusual from a comparative and typological perspective, since East African Bantu languages exhibit predominantly auxiliary-verb order and SVO languages are expected to exhibit auxiliary-verb order. This unusual word order is also found in the neighbouring [Mbugwe language](/source/Mbugwe_language), spoken in the [Babati](/source/Babati) region. ## Phonology Rangi has a seven-vowel system, with a single low vowel and phonemically contrasting front-back pairs at three heights. The vowels are [a], [ɛ], [i], [ɪ], [ɔ], [u] and [ʊ]. Rangi has phonemic vowel length alternation with a distinction attested between long and short vowels. Rangi also exhibits asymmetric vowel height harmony. ### Consonants Labial Alveolar Post-alv./ Palatal Velar Glottal Nasal m n ɲ ŋ Plosive/ Affricate voiceless p t t͡ʃ k (ʔ) voiced b d d͡ʒ ɡ prenasal vl. ᵐp ⁿt ᶮt͡ʃ ᵑk prenasal vd. ᵐb ⁿd ᶮd͡ʒ ᵑɡ Fricative voiceless f s h voiced v z Rhotic r Approximant l j w - [ʔ] can be heard in word-initial positions before a vowel. - /s/ can be heard as [ʃ] in palatal environments. - The sequence /uj/ may be heard as a labial-palatal semivowel [ɥ]. ### Vowels Front Central Back Close i iː u uː Near-close ɪ ɪː ʊ ʊː Open-mid ɛ ɛː ɔ ɔː Open a aː - /ɛ, ɔ/ can also be heard as more close [e, o] when preceded by a back consonant. - /a/ can also be heard as back [ɑ] when preceded by a back consonant.[7] There is little distinction between /l/ and /ɾ/, but the two are not quite in [complementary distribution](/source/Complementary_distribution). For instance, /ɾ/ is usually found before /i/, but there is a single attested word with /l/ before /i/, and so they are judged to be distinct phonemes. The name is usually pronounced with an R, but the endonym is an L: Pendant longtemps j'ai cru que la langue que j'étudiais s'appelait le kɪrangi, car lorsque les locuteurs parlent en anglais, ou à un étranger de manière générale, ils se servent de la forme swahili. Ce n'est que lorsqu'ils parlent en langi qu'ils appellent leur langue kɪlangi. (For a long time I thought that the language which I was studying was called Kɪrangi, because when speakers spoke in English, or in general to a foreigner, they made do with the Swahili form. It's only when they speak in Langi that they call their language Kɪlangi.)[8] ## Orthography Rangi is written in the Latin alphabet with the addition of the letters ɨ and ʉ, as well as the letter combinations ch, ng', ny, and sh:[3] Letter IPA a [a] b [b] ch [tɕ] d [d̪] e [ɛ] f [f] g [g] h [ɦ] i [i] ɨ [ɪ] j [dʑ] k [k] l [l] m [m] n [n̪] ng' [ŋ] ny [ɲ] o [ɔ] p [p] r [ɾ] s [s] sh [ɕ] t [t̪] u [u] ʉ [ʊ] v [v] w [w] y [j] z [z] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-e18_1-0)** [Rangi](https://www.ethnologue.com/18/language/lag/) at *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)* (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Guthrie_2-0)** Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. [New Updated Guthrie List Online](https://web.archive.org/web/20180203191542/http://goto.glocalnet.net/mahopapers/nuglonline.pdf) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) Stegen, Oliver (2011). [*In quest of a vernacular writing style for the Rangi of Tanzania: Assumptions, processes, challenges*](https://www.sil.org/system/files/reapdata/22/10/89/22108962824106974160346465637943087387/thesis_stegen_final.pdf) (PDF). University of Edinburgh. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Bergman et al.2007 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Grimes 2005 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Gibson, Hannah. 2012. Auxiliary placement in Rangi: A Dynamic Syntax perspective. Phd Dissertation, SOAS, University of London. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Dunham, Margaret (2001). *Description ethno-linguistique des Valangi de Tanzanie*. Paris: Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: publisher location ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_publisher_location)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Dunham (2005: 19) *Éléments de description du langi, langue bantu F.33 de Tanzanie* 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) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rangi language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangi_language) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangi_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.