Also Known As:
Olusuba
Dialects & Varieties
- Kaksingri
- Wiregi
- Ungoe
- Mfangano
- Gwasi
- Muhuru
- Suna
A Case of a Mother Tongue and Another Mother Tongue in School: Efforts at Revitalization of Olusuba Language of Kenya
John Ogone Obiero. "A Case of a Mother Tongue and Another Mother Tongue in School: Efforts At Revitalization of Olusuba Language of Kenya." In Journal of Third World Studies, 27: 267-291. Association of Third World Studies, Inc..
Severely Endangered
80 percent certain, based on the evidence available
Speaker Number Trends
Speaker Number Trend 4
Less than half of the community speaks the language, and speaker numbers are decreasing at an accelerated pace.
4
Domains of Use
Domain Of Use 2
Used in some non-official domains along with other languages, and remains the primary language used in the home for many community members.
2
Transmission
Transmission 4
Many of the grandparent generation speak the language, but younger people generally do not.
4
Speakers
Native or fluent speakers:
No results found.
Second-language speakers and learners
No results found.
Semi-speakers or rememberers
No results found.
Children:
No results found.
Young adults
No results found.
Older adults
No results found.
Elders
No results found.
Ethnic or community population
No results found.
Year information was gathered
No results found.
Comments on speakers
"In 1995, the government of Kenya, some non-governmental organizations and the Suba people themselves tried to revive both the Suba culture and language. [...] the government initiated the Olusuba language project [...] THe measures put in place included introducing Suba-as-subject in primary school, revivalist initiatives in the form of cultural festivals, sports, a vernacular radio service, and a language panel [...] The Bible translation and Literacy (BTL) together with the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) have also been involved in the literacy, translation and documentation programs in the language."
Location and Context
Countries
Kenya
Location Description
"Presently, the Abasuba are settled on the Northern Eastern shores of the Lake Victoria, Mfangano and Rusinga Islands."
Government Support
Some governmental education support
Institutional Support
Various non-governmental organizations
Speakers' Attitude
positive
Other Languages Used By The Community
Dholuo, Swahili, English
Number of Other Language Speakers:
None
Domains of Other Languages:
None
Writing Systems
Standard orthography:
No results found.
Writing system:
No results found.
Other writing systems used:
No results text.
Comments on writing systems:
No results found.
Recent Resources
A closer look at how the Suba people practiced their religion.
Noun classification in the Suba language.
The wikipedia page for the Suba language. Refers only to the variety spoken in Tanzania.