Ateso language


Ugandan Teso.
In 1902, part of eastern Uganda was transferred to western Kenya - leading to further separation of Teso. Northern Teso occupy the area previously known as Teso District in Uganda (now the districts of Amuria, Soroti, Kumi, Katakwi, Pallisa, Bukedea and Kaberamaido). Southern Teso live mainly in the districts of Tororo, Bugiri and Busia in Uganda, and Busia District in Kenya's Western Province.
In Uganda, the Iteso live mainly in Teso sub-region , i.e., the districts of Amuria, Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Kumi, Ngora, Serere and Soroti, but also in Bugiri and Pallisa, as well as in the districts of Tororo and Busia.
Ateso (from Teso) is a Eastern Nilotic language spoken by the Iteso people of Uganda and Kenya. It is part of the Teso–Turkana language cluster. According to the 2002 Uganda population and housing census, over 1.57 million people (6.7% of the total Uganda population) in Uganda spoke Ateso. Also an estimated 279,000 people in Kenya speak it. The Ateso language comes from an area called Teso.

Basic lexicon Ateso - English

Ageunet, abu Edeke Kosub akwap keda akuj

- Yoga - hello
- Yoga noi - reply on hello
- Ijai biai - How are you?
- Eyalama noi - Thank you alot
- Ejokuna, arai ijo? - Fine, and you?
- Jokuna - I am ok
- Bieibo jo - How are you
- Mot Mot - Fair
- Tamit - Some how
- Aibo ilosi jo? - Where are you going?
- Ingai bo ekon'kiror? - What is your name?
- Obia - Come
- Olot - Go
- Ebo - Yes
- Oyau - Bring
- Naarai - Because
- Awanyunos bobo - See you again
- Eyalama ewanyun - Nice to see you
- Ekiror - Name
- Eka'kiror ... - My name is …