This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
Located in Northeastern Africa, Sudan is one of the continent's largest countries, boasting a mixed population of Arabic and African descent. The country's capital city is Khartoum, while the largest national city is Omdurman.
With a rich history dating back to 1899, Sudan was formed in 1956 as the Republic of Sudan. The country's culture, behaviors, and beliefs are a blend of different tribes, with a mix of forested lands and desert areas.
Approximately 97% of the population is Muslim, and the country's composition is predominantly Arabic-speaking, with a small percentage of Africans. The Nubians, Fur, Beja, Nuba, and Fallata are among the few African communities that can be traced back to the country.
Image: facebook.com, @sudannews
Source: UGC
Official Languages of Sudan ¶
As a result of colonial influence, many African countries adopted the language of their colonizers. Sudan is no exception, with English being the official language after the influence of their colonizers, the Englishmen.
However, the native languages of the country still exist, with over 60 local languages spoken by the native population. English is primarily spoken by the learned, while most locals understand Arabic.
Arabic is also the second official language in the region, with a large number of Arabs being a major part of ancient Sudan. The country opted for Arabic as another common language that many people in the area can identify with.
Despite the variations in dialect and intonations, most locals prefer speaking Sudanese Arabic, which reflects the influences of both Arabic and African cultures.
Arabic Language Spoken in Sudan ¶
Sudanese Arabic differs from the popularly known Arabic language and is commonly spoken throughout Sudan and Eritrea. Some Sudanese tribes have similar accents to Saudi Arabians.
Arabic is a national language of Sudan and is spoken by over 42 million people.
Image: facebook.com, @sudancbk
Source: UGC
Native Language of Sudan ¶
Sudan has over 142 languages, with 9 being extinct. However, the country's most popular languages are Arabic, which is used in the east, north, west, and middle regions.
Apart from Arabic, there are other tribal languages spoken countrywide, including the Juba Arabic variant, which is a mixed language spoken in Southern Sudan.
Image: facebook.com, @sudancbk
Source: UGC
