Kwaya is a Bantu language of Tanzania spoken by the Kwaya people. Jita–Kara–Kwaya are close to being dialects; Maho (2009) separates Ruri from Kwaya as equally distinct. It is closely related to the Bemba language and Tumbuka language of Malawi and Zambia.
Kwaya | |
---|---|
Native to | Tanzania |
Region | Mara Region |
Native speakers | 120,000 (2005)[1] |
Dialects |
|
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | kya |
Glottolog | kway1241 |
JE.251,253 [2] |
Examples
editDeath-Kufwa
Ear-Okutwi
Eye-Linso
Four-Ne
Hand-Mboko
I-Nyimi
Name-Dzina
Night-Usiku
Nose-Mzunu
Sun-Kasubuka
Three-Tatu
Tongue-Ulimi
Tooth-Izinyu
Two-Mbila
Water-Amanji
Who-Nani
Wind-Omoya
You-Wewo
Sample text (Hail Mary)
editMurembe, Maria, wizuye enema, omukama anawe, wabalikwa mu bagasi bone, na Yezu, mwana wamunda ayo yabalikwa. Maria mutakatifu, Nyira Ngumi, okisabire eswe abakayi ôri na mu nkaga yokufwa kweswe. Amina.
Translation
editHail Mary, full of grace. The lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God. Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
- ^ Kwaya at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
- ^ Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. New Updated Guthrie List Online