Kalenjin languages

Kalenjin
Geographic distribution:	western Kenya, eastern Uganda, northern Tanzania
Linguistic classification:	Nilo-Saharan? Eastern Sudanic Nilotic Southern Nilotic Kalenjin
Subdivisions:	Elgon Nandi–Markweta Okiek Pökoot
ISO 639-2 / 5:	kln
Glottolog:	kale1246

The Kalenjin languages are a family of a dozen Southern Nilotic languages spoken in Kenya, eastern Uganda and northern Tanzania. The term Kalenjin comes from a Nandi expression meaning 'I say (to you)'. Kalenjin in this broad linguistic sense should not be confused with Kalenjin as a term for the common identity the Nandi-speaking peoples of Kenya assumed halfway the twentieth century; see Kalenjin people and Kalenjin language.

The Kalenjin languages are generally distinguished into four branches. There is less certainty regarding internal relationships within these.

• Elgon (Sebei)
• Nandi–Markweta (Kalenjin)
• Okiek
• Pökoot

References

• Rottland, Franz (1982) Die Südnilotischen Sprachen: Beschreibung, Vergleichung und Rekonstruktion (Kölner Beiträge zur Afrikanistik vol. 7). Berlin: Dietrich Reimer. (See esp. map 1 on p. 31, and the 'Sprachbeschreibung' of the Kalenjin languages on pp. 69–143.)

External links

• Kalenjin–English Dictionary
• A Kalenjin website
• Phonology of Endo - a Kalenjin language