Nobiin

Nobiin, also known as Northern Nubian, is a Nubian language spoken by Nubian communities along the Nile in northern Sudan and southern Egypt. It is part of the Nubian branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family and is the most widely spoken language in the Nubian subgroup.

The language exhibits a range of dialects that form a continuum with closely related Nubian languages. Because of this variation, speakers may identify with regional varieties or simply refer to their language as Nobiin. The name and classification of dialects can vary among linguistic sources.

Historically, the medieval Nubian language known as Old Nubian was written in a script derived from the Coptic alphabet and used in ecclesiastical and literary contexts. In modern times, Nobiin is typically written with a Latin-based orthography for everyday use and education, while Arabic script is used in some communities or contexts.

Nobiin is currently subject to language contact with Arabic, and language transmission varies among communities. Many speakers are bilingual in Arabic, and intergenerational transmission can be uneven, particularly in urban areas or where schooling is conducted in Arabic. Nonetheless, Nobiin remains an important part of Nubian cultural identity, and there are ongoing efforts to document the language and develop educational materials, dictionaries, and grammars to support maintenance and literacy.