The fact about South Sudan languages is, South Sudan has over 60 indigenous languages and a few non-indigenous languages. The main languages spoken include English (the official language), Bari, Arabic, Dinka, Luo, Murle, Nuer, and Azande, among others.
Many of these languages belong to the Nilo-Saharan language family, which covers the eastern and central regions of the country.
English Language in South Sudan
Before independence in 2005, English and Arabic were declared official languages in South Sudan and were to be used in higher education. However, after independence, the government removed Arabic and chose English as the primary official language.
This was clearly stated in the Constitution, Part 1, Section 6(2):
“English shall be the working official language in the Republic of South Sudan.”
English was chosen to differentiate South Sudan from Sudan. The country is also considering adding Kiswahili as another official language to strengthen its ties with the East African Community.
English was introduced during the colonial era and later spread across South Sudan, even leading to the decline of some local languages.
Other Languages
South Sudan is home to many other languages, including Azande, Nuer, Dinka, and Bari. The history of these languages dates back to the 1980s, during the struggle for independence.
During that time, many people died or were displaced as refugees in neighboring countries, including Sudan.
This led to intermarriages and some people adopting new languages. That is why some South Sudanese indigenous languages are also spoken in neighboring countries.
For example, Azande is spoken in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. The Banda group of languages has more speakers in the Central African Republic than in South Sudan.
According to the 2022 census, the Nuer language has about 1.8 million speakers. The Dinka language has over 4.5 million speakers, as the Dinka people highly treasure their culture and cattle.
The Shilluk language, which is somewhat similar to Bari, is spoken by over 920,000 people in South Sudan. The Bari language has around 420,000 speakers, while the Azande language also has a significant number of speakers.
Note: A large number of people in South Sudan are still fluent in Arabic, and some continue to use Sudanese Arabic, as they were once part of Sudan before gaining independence.
An official language makes communication easier and helps foreigners feel at home in society. So don’t hesitate to visit South Sudan!
