The lhukonzo (Konzo) language, variously rendered Lukonzo, Olukonzo, and konzo, is a Bantu language spoken by the Konzo people of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has a 77% lexical similarity with Nande. There are many dialects, including Sanza (Ekisanza).
Writing system + Konzo alphabet a b d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s t u v w y z
Phonetics
Consonants +Konzo consonant phonemesLabialDentalAlveolarRetroflexPostalveolar/ PalatalVelarGlottalNasal Stopprenasalized implosive/ voiced voiceless voiceless prenasalized Affricate Fricativeprenasalized voiced voiceless Approximant Rhotic
Vowels Konzo is characterized by distinguishing advanced and retracted tongue root.
Konzo's IPA vowel chart Front Back Close Near-close Mid Open
Basic vocabulary List of basic phrases and words. Good morning – wabukire Good afternoon – wasibire Good night - ukeyesaye buholho Thank you (very much) – wasingya (kutsibu) How are you? – ghune wuthi? How are you? – muneyo? Fine – ngane ndeke Sir/man – mulhume Madam/woman – mukalhi Boy – omuthabana Girl – omumbesa Dear – mwanithu Friend – omukaghu King – mukama/mwami omusinga 2-10 – ibiri, isatu, ini, ithanu, mukagha, musanju, munani, mwenda, ikumi Car – engumbaghalhi Water – amaghetse Gift – kihembo House - enumba Goat - embene Dog - embwa
Grammar
Verbs The infinitive is indicated by the prefix eri- (before a consonant) or ery- (before a vowel). For example: ery'asa ("to come").
References
Works cited