Sudan - Languages

Languages

The most widely-spoken languages in Sudan are:

1. Arabic
   1. Sudanese Arabic.
   2. Najdi and Hejazi Arabic, (mainly in mid-north and mid-east regions).
   3. Chadic Arabic in western region, (mainly spoken by Baggara and various Arabized African tribes).
2. Nubian language in far north, (mainly spoken by Nubians of Mahas, Dongola and Halfa).
3. Beja language knows as Bedawit in far east alongside Red sea, (mainly spoken by Beja of Hadandawa, Ababda and Bisharin).

Before 2005, only Arabic was the official language. In the 2005 constitution, Sudan's official languages became Arabic and English:

Article 8:

1. All indigenous languages of Sudan are national languages and shall be respected, developed and promoted.
2. Arabic is a widely spoken national language in Sudan.
3. Arabic, as a major language at the national level and English shall be the official working languages of the national government and the languages of instruction for higher education.
4. In addition to Arabic and English, the legislature of any sub-national level of government may adopt any other national language as an additional official working language at its level.
5. There shall be no discrimination against the use of either Arabic or English at any level of government or stage of education.