8,448,000 (1995). Republic of Senegal. République du Sénégal. Literacy rate 21.7% (1988 census), including 28.6% men, 15.6% women. Also includes Krio, Vietnamese. Information mainly from SIL 1996. Data Accuracy estimate: A2, B. Also includes Krio, Vietnamese. Muslim, traditional religion, Christian. Blind population 22,000 (1982 WCE). Deaf institutions: 6. The number of languages listed for Senegal is 39.
ARABIC, HASSANIYA (MAURE, MAURI, MOOR, SULAKA, HASANYA, HASSANI, HASSANIYYA) [MEY] 5,000 in Senegal (1993); 106,100 in Mali (1991); 127,400 in Niger (1991); 1,800,000 in Mauritania (1991); 2,230,000 in all countries. Northwest corner. Also in Morocco, Algeria. Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic. Speakers are called 'Maures' ('Moors'). Not intelligible with other Arabic varieties. Muslim. Survey needed.
BADYARA (BADIAN, BADYARANKE, PAJADE, PAJADINCA, PAJADINKA, GOLA, BIGOLA) [PBP] 6,500 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa); 5,900 in Guinea (1991); 3,500 in Guinea Bissau (1991); 15,900 in all countries (1991 Vanderaa). South central. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda. The speakers may be bilingual in Mandinka. Biafada is the closest language, with 52% lexical similarity. Muslim. Work in progress.
BAINOUK (BANYUM, BANYUN, BAGNOUN, BANHUM, BAINUK, BANYUK, BANYUNG, ELOMAY, ELUNAY) [BCZ] 20,700 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa). Southwest corner between Casamance and Cacheo rivers, north of Ziguinchor. Also in Gambia. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Nun. Dialects: GUJAAXET, GUNYAMOOLO. Closely related to Kobiana and Kasanga of Guinea Bissau. More closely related to the Tenda languages of eastern Senegal than to the neighboring Diola and Balanta. Gunyuño in Guinea Bissau is distinct. Muslim, traditional religion, Christian. Work in progress.
BALANTA (BALANT, BALANTE, BALANDA, BALLANTE, BELANTE, BULANDA, BRASSA, ALANTE, FRASE) [BLE] 78,100 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa); 270,000 in Guinea Bissau (1991); 348,100 or more in all countries. Southwest corner between Casamance and Geba Rivers. Also in Cape Verde Islands and Gambia. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Balant-Ganja. Dialects: FORA, KANTOHE (QUEUTHOE), NAGA, MANE. Speakers of Kantohe do not understand Mandinka. Some are bilingual in Crioulo. Naga, Mane, and Kantohe may be separate languages. Traditional religion, Christian. Bible portions 1980. Work in progress.
BAMBARA (BAMANA, BAMANAKAN) [BRA] 55,000 in Senegal (1991 L. Vanderaa CRC); 2,700,000 in Mali (1995); 4,200 in Gambia (1991); 300 in Burkina Faso (1992); 5,500 in Côte d'Ivoire (1993); 3,000,000 in all countries. East central near Mali border. Also in Guinea. Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Northern, Greater Mandekan, Mandekan, Manding. Settlers have located along the railroad coming from Mali. Muslim, traditional religion. Bible 1961-1987. NT 1933, in press (1995). Bible portions 1923-1942.
BANDIAL (BANJAAL) [BQJ] 5,000 (1995 B. Hopkins). Villages of Badiate-Grand, Bandial, Enampor, Etama, Kamobeul, Essil, Seleky Bahimbane, Seleky Bakène Eboa group of villages forming a triangle with the Casamance River on the north, the Komobeul Bôlon on the west, the Ziguinchor-Oussouye road on the south, and the Brin-Nyassia road on the east. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Diola Proper, Diola Central, Gusilay. Dialect: AFFIÑIAM. Affiñiam has 74% lexical similarity with Bandial and 66% with Gusilaay. It may not be intelligible with Bandial. Speakers use Jola-Fogny, Wolof, Mandinka, or Pulaar as second languages. Survey needed.
BASARI (BASSARI, ONIAN, AYAN, BIYAN, WO, TENDA BASARI) [BSC] 6,500 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa); 8,600 in Guinea (1991); 300 in Guinea Bissau; 15,400 in all countries. Southeastern, Upper Casamance, around Edun, border areas, Kedougou, Tambacounda. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda. Closely related language: Bedik. Tenda is used as a cover term for Basari, Badyara, Konyagi, Bedik. High mortality rate. Women intermarry with men from Fulbe and other groups; children become part of the other group. Trading is carried on with the Fulbe. Traditionally hunter-gatherers; now agriculturalists: millet, peanuts, fonyo, beans; in cities: bamboo fence makers, domestic help. Traditional religion, Christian. NT 1988.
BAYOT (BAIOTE, BAIOT, BAYOTTE) [BDA] 5,200 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa); 1,500 in Guinea Bissau (1991); very few in Gambia (1991); 6,700 in all countries. A cluster of villages about 12 km. southwest of Ziguinchor, grouped around the village of Nyassia. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Bayot. Dialect: ESSIN. 15% to 18% lexical similarity with other Diola varieties (closest). Essin and Bayot form a cluster that needs further investigation. Speakers use Jola-Kasa as second language, some Wolof, and perhaps Mankanya or Manjak. Traditional religion. Survey needed.
BUDIK (BEDIK, TANDANKE, TENDANKE, TENDA, BANDE, BASARI DU BANDEMBA) [TNR] 5,400 (1991 Vanderaa). Southeastern. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda. Close to Basari. Reported to be a creole with elements from Basari, Peul, and other languages. Dictionary. Traditional religion, Christian. Bible portions. Work in progress.
CRIOULO, UPPER GUINEA (PORTUGUESE CREOLE, KRIULO) [POV] 55,000 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa); 300,000 in Cape Verde Islands (1989 J. Holm); 100,000 in Guinea Bissau (1986 UBS); 12,000 in Netherlands; 467,000 or more in all countries. Ziguinchor, Bignona, and Kolda. It overlaps from Guinea Bissau and the Bijagos Islands. Also in Gambia, and possibly in USA. Creole, Portuguese based. Dialect: CACHEU-ZIGUINCHOR CREOLE. The Senegal dialect is a little different than Guinea Bissau, with some Pidgin French vocabulary. Intelligible with Guinea Bissau Creole. Christian. Bible in press (1996). NT 1989. Bible portions 1979.
EJAMAT (EDIAMAT, FULUP, FELOUP, FELUP, FELUPE, FLOUP, FLUP) [EJA] 1,500 in Senegal (1991 B. Hopkins SIL); 17,000 in Guinea Bissau (1993 Johnstone); 18,500 in all countries. Extreme southern Senegal, a handful of villages 5 to 7 km. due south of Oussouye, including Kahem, Efok, Youtou. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Diola Proper, Diola Central, Her-Ejamat. A distinct language from other Diola varieties. 63% lexical similarity between Her-Ejamat and Jola-Fogny or Jola-Kasa; 50% with Gusilay or Elun. They may use Jola-Kasa and Wolof as second languages. Survey needed.
ELUN (HULON, KULUUNAAY) [ELN] 1,000 (1991 B. Hopkins SIL). Brin village, about 5 km. southwest of Ziguinchor. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Diola Proper, Diola Central, Gusilay. Speakers use Wolof, Jola-Kasa, or Jola-Fogny as second languages. Survey needed.
FRENCH [FRN] 72,000,000 in all countries (1995 WA). Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Romance. Official language. Bible 1530-1986. NT 1474-1980. Bible portions 1483-1987.
FULFULDE, PULAAR (PEUL, PEULH) [FUC] 1,946,000 in Senegal, including 350,000 Fulbe Jeeri (1995); 150,000 in Mauritania; 175,000 in Mali (1995); 214,000 in the Gambia (1995); 24,000 in Guinea (1991); 180,000 in Guinea Bissau (1991); 2,689,000 in all countries. Pulaar is primarily in the Senegal River Valley and Mauritania. Fulacunda is in the Upper Casamance region, dianamarale, 40 miles west of Kolda, north to Gambia Region, and northeast to Tambacounda. Also in Burkina Faso, Nigeria. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fulani, Western. Dialects: TOUCOULEUR (TUKOLOR, TUKULOR, TOKILOR, PULAAR, HAALPULAAR, FULBE JEERI), FULACUNDA (FULAKUNDA, FULKUNDA). Officially recognized. Fulbe Jeeri and Toucouleur (Haalpulaar'en) are separate ethnic groups speaking this form of Fulfulde. Close to Fulacunda. Jeeri is a geographical region in which a large number of diverse lineages still follow a semi-nomadic life. There are 3 families subdivided into at least 20 lineages, each of which has some dialect differences; all are inherently intelligible. Bunndu is a Fula geo-political state composed of a mix of Toucouleur and Fulbe Jeeri. Close to Fulacunda. Fuuta Tooro (Fouta Toro) was a major Toucouleur geo-political state, which has its seat in northern Senegal, and is also in Mauritania. 15% to 25% literate. National language. Desert. Fulbe Jeeri: semi-nomadic pastoralists. Muslim. Bible portions 1982-1993. Work in progress.
FUUTA JALON (FUTA JALLON, FOUTA DYALON, FULLO FUUTA, FUTA FULA) [FUF] 100,000 in Senegal (1991); 2,550,000 in Guinea (1991); 178,400 in Sierra Leone (1991); 50,000 in Mali (1991); 3,000,000 in all countries (1991 WA). Also in Guinea Bissau and Gambia. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fulani, West Central. Large numbers from Guinea have settled or work seasonally in Casamance, eastern Senegal, and Dakar. Looked upon as outsiders in Senegal. An unpublished grammar exists. Muslim. Bible portions 1929-1975. Work in progress.
GANJA (GANJA BLIP, BANDAL) [BLA] Southwest, on north side of river across from Balanta. Probably not in Guinea Bissau. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Balant-Ganja. Closely related to Balanta. Speakers are fairly bilingual in Mandinka.
GUSILAY (KUSILAAY, GUSILAAY) [GSL] 16,700 including 10,700 in villages (1990 govt. figure), 3,000 in Ziguinchor and Sedhiou departments, and 3,000 in Dakar and other cities (1991 B. Hopkins SIL). Villages of (1) Tionk Essil, between Tendouck and Mlomp-North; and (2) Affiniam, 5 km. southeast of Tendouck. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Diola Proper, Diola Central, Gusilay. Speakers use Jola-Fogny, Wolof, Mandinka, or Pulaar as second languages. Survey needed.
JAHANKA (JAHANQUE, JAHONQUE, DIAKKANKE, DIAKHANKE, DYAKANKE) [JAD] 21,900 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa) to 50,000 (NTM 1991); 12,600 in Guinea (1991); 24,500 or more in all countries. Also in Gambia and Guinea Bissau. Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Northern, Greater Mandekan, Mandekan, Manding. 75% lexical similarity with Mandinka. They are reported to have come from Mali in the 18th century. Trace their origins to Soninke, but now speak a language related to Malinke and Mandinka. They use Arabic script to write Jahanka. Muslim. Survey needed.
JOLA-FOGNY (DIOLA-FOGNY, DYOLA, JÓOLA, JOLA, YOLA) [DYO] 210,000 in Senegal including 150,000 Jola-Fogny, 60,000 Jula-Buluf (1991 B. Hopkins SIL); 10,000 to 20,000 in Gambia (1991 B. Hopkins SIL); 220,000 to 225,000 in all countries. 319,368 in the Diola subfamily in Senegal (Abdoulaye Barry). Area surrounding the city of Bignona, bounded on the south by the Casamance River, on the north by a strip just north of the Senegal-Gambia border, on the west by the Diouloulou Marigot tributary, and on the east by the Soungrougrou River. Also in an area 15 to 20 km. east and southeast of Ziguinchor, the regional capital. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Diola Proper, Diola-Gusilay, Diola-Fogny. Dialects: KOMBO, FOGNY (FONY), NARANG, BULUF, KALOUNAYE. Recognized by the government as one of six national languages. Buluf seems to have many different lexical items from Fogny, but Buluf speakers are eager to learn to read Fogny. 68% lexical similarity with Jola-Kasa. Gusilaay, Kwataay, Karon, Mlomp, Her, Ejamat, and Bayot are more distantly related languages, but they are close geographically. Fogny is the largest dialect and the most widely understood. 10% lexical similarity with Banyum. A different language from Jula (Dioula, Dyoula, Dyula) of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire, which is Mande. National language. Intensive agriculturalists: wet rice, millet, peanuts. Traditional religion (southern), Muslim (northern), Christian. Work in progress.
JOLA-KASA (DIOLA-KASA, CASA, JÓOLA-KASA) [CSK] 30,000 or more including 10,000 in Oussouye, 10,000 in surrounding villages, 10,000 in other cities (1991 B. Hopkins SIL). Villages around the city of Oussouye and in the area north to the Casamance River, bounded by the Kamobeul Bôlon tributary on the east and the Kachiouane Bôlon on the west. Also in Gambia. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Diola Proper, Diola Central, Diola-Kasa. Dialects: AYUN, ESULALU (ESUULAALUR, OUSSOUYE, MLOMP SOUTH), FLUVIAL, HULUF, SELEK, BLISS (NIOMOUN). Related to, but a distinct language from Jola-Fogny. Bible portions 1961. Work in progress.
KARON [KRX] 6,500 in Senegal including 5,500 in villages (1990 govt. figure) and 1,000 scattered in the country; 1,000 in Gambia (1991); 7,500 in all countries (1991 B. Hopkins SIL). Southwest Senegal along the coast, south of Diouloulou and surrounding the town of Kafountine. Bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Kalisseye Inlet, on the east by the Diouloulou Marigot Estuary, and on the north by the Senegal-Gambia border. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Diola Proper, Karon-Mlomp. 42% lexical similarity between Karon-Mlomp and the closest Diola language.
KASSONKE (KHASONKE, KASONKE, KASSON, KASSO, XASONKE) [KAO] 6,000 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa); 120,000 in Mali (1991); 126,000 or more in all countries. Also in Gambia. Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Northern, Greater Mandekan, Mandekan, Manding. 70% lexical similarity with Mandinka of Gambia and Senegal. Muslim. Work in progress.
KERAK (HER, KEERAK, KEERAKU) [HHR] 10,000 (1996 SIL). Kabrousse village, extreme southwestern corner of Senegal just before crossing into Guinea Bissau, and possibly other nearby villages in both countries. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Diola Proper, Diola Central, Her-Ejamat. A distinct language from other Diola varieties. Speakers may use French and Wolof as second languages. 63% lexical similarity between Her-Ejamat and closest Diola language. Work in progress.
KWATAY (KUUWAATAAY) [CWT] 3,500 (1991 B. Hopkins SIL). In Diembering, Bouyouye, Nyikine, and Boukot-Diola villages along the coast just south of the mouth of the Casamance River. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Diola Proper, Kwatay. A distinct language from other Diola varieties. 40% lexical similarity with closest Diola language. Most speakers can speak or understand Jola-Kasa and some Wolof. Work in progress.
LEHAR (LALA) [CAE] 2,800 (1991 Vanderaa). North of Thies in west central Senegal, around the towns of Panbal, Mbaraglov, Dougnan. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin. 84% lexical similarity with Non, 74% with Safen, 68% with Ndut and Palor, 22% with Serer-Sine. 52% intelligibility of Non. Their name for themselves is 'Lala'. Second language is Wolof. Some speakers are also bilingual in Non, Ndut, and French. Typology: SVO, non-tonal. Levels of bilingualism in Wolof are 0:0-1%, 1:5%, 2:15%, 3:60%, 4:15%, 5:5%. Plains. Peasant agriculturalists: peanuts, manioc, tomatoes. Muslim, traditional religion, Christian.
MALINKE (MALINKA, NORTHWESTERN MANINKA) [MLQ] 258,500 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa); 668,000 in Mali (1993); 73,500 in Guinea (1991); 15,000 in Côte d'Ivoire (1991); 1,015,000 in all countries. Eastern Senegal. Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Northern, Greater Mandekan, Mandekan, Manding. Distinct from Mandinka; 59% lexical similarity. Recognized by the government as one of six national languages. Muslim, traditional religion. Work in progress.
MANDINKA (MANDING, MANDINGO, MANDINGUE, MANDINQUE, MANDE) [MNK] 445,500 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa) or 6% of the population; 350,000 in Gambia (1993); 119,000 in Guinea Bissau (1993); 914,500 in all countries. Southeastern and south central. Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Northern, Greater Mandekan, Mandekan, Manding. Mandinka and Malinke are separate languages (Church, Maranz). National language. Muslim. NT 1989. Bible portions 1837-1966.
MANDYAK (MANDJAQUE, MANJACA, MANJACO, MANJIAK, KANYOP, MANJAKU, MANJACK, MAJAK, NDYAK) [MFV] 70,200 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa); 125,000 in Guinea Bissau (1991); 14,100 in Gambia (1991); 209,300 or more in all countries. Southwest corner east of Ziguinchor. Also in France and Cape Verde Islands. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel. Dialects: BOK (KABOK, SARA, TEIXEIRA PINTO, TSAAM), LIKES-UTSIA (BARAA, KALKUS), CUR (CHURO), LUND, YU (PECIXE). Some dialects listed may be separate languages. Closely related to Mankanya and Papel. Traditional religion, Christian. Bible portions 1968. Work in progress.
MANKANYA (MANCAGNE, MANCANG, MANCANHA, MANKANHA, MANKAGNE, BOLA) [MAN] 19,400 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa); 30,000 in Guinea Bissau (1991 Vanderaa); 1,200 in Gambia (1991); 50,600 in all countries. Scattered. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel. Dialects: BURAMA (BULAMA, BURAM, BRAME), SHADAL (SADAR). Related to Mandyak; extensive bilingualism in Mandyak. Traditional religion, Christian.
MLOMP (MLOMP NORTH, GULOMPAAY) [QML] 3,500 including 2,500 in the villages (1990 govt. figure), and 1,000 elsewhere (1991 B. Hopkins SIL). Mainly in Mlomp village north of the Casamance River, 25 km. due east of Bignona, on the road between Tendouck and Tiobon, Bignona Department, several surrounding villages, and scattered around the country. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Diola, Diola Proper, Karon-Mlomp. Many speak and understand Jola-Fogny as second language, some know Wolof, and a few may know Mandinka or Pulaar. 42% lexical similarity between Karon-Mlomp and the closest Diola language. Survey needed.
NDUT (NDOUTE) [NDV] 21,200 (1991 Vanderaa). West central, northwest of Thies. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin. 84% lexical similarity with Palor, 68% with Safen, Non, and Lehar, 22% with Serer-Sine. 32% intelligibility of Palor. 'Ndut' is their name for themselves. Second language is Wolof. Some speakers are also bilingual in Lehar, Safen, and French. Typology: SVO, non-tonal. Levels of bilingualism in Wolof are 0:0-1%, 1:5%, 2:15%, 3:60%, 4:15%, 5:5%. Plains. Peasant agriculturalists: peanuts, manioc, tomatoes, corn. Muslim, Christian, traditional religion. Work in progress.
NOON (SERERE-NON, SERER, DYOBA, NONE, NON) [SNF] 25,000 (1996 SIL). Surrounding Thiès and in Thiès. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin. Dialects: NONE, NOON. Noon is very different from Serere-Sine. 84% lexical similarity with Lehar, 74% with Safen, 68% with Ndut and Palor, 22% with Serere-Sine. 68% intelligibility of Lehar. Some speakers are also bilingual in French. 'Noon' is their name for themselves. Typology: SVO, non-tonal. Levels of bilingualism in Wolof are 0:0-1%, 1:5%, 2:15%, 3:60%, 4:15%, 5:5%. Plains. Peasant agriculturalists. Christian, Muslim. Work in progress.
PALOR (FALOR, SILI, SILI-SILI, WARO) [FAP] 7,100 (1991 Vanderaa). West central, west southwest of Thies. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin. 84% lexical similarity with Ndut, 74% with Safen, 68% with Non and Lehar, 22% with Serere-Sine. 55% intelligibility of Ndut, 27% of Safen. Palor is used in the home. Some speakers are also bilingual in Safen and French. 'Waro' is their name for themselves. There are no schools in the area. Typology: SVO, non-tonal. Levels of bilingualism in Wolof are 0:0-1%, 1:5%, 2:15%, 3:60%, 4:15%, 5:5%. Plains. Peasant agriculturalists: peanuts, manioc, mangos, tomatoes. Muslim, traditional religion.
SAFEN (SERER-SAFEN, SERERE-SAFEN, SAFI, SAAFI, SAAFI-SAAFI, SAFI-SAFI) [SAV] 35,400 (1991 Vanderaa). Southwest of and near Thies, and to the ocean. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin. 74% lexical similarity with Non, Lehar, and Palor; 68% with Ndut; 22% with Serere-Sine. 'Safi' is their name for the people, 'Safi-Safi' for the language. Some speakers are bilingual in Wolof, Ndut, and French. Trade language in the southern Cangin region. Typology: SVO, non-tonal. Levels of bilingualism in Wolof are 0:0-1%, 1:5%, 2:15%, 3:60%, 4:15%, 5:5%. Plains. Peasant agriculturalists: peanuts, manioc, beans, tomatoes. Muslim, traditional religion, Christian. Work in progress.
SERERE-SINE (SERER, SERRER, SEREER, SEEREER, SERER-SIN, SINE-SALOUM, SEEX, SINE-SINE) [SES] 848,000 in Senegal (1991 Vanderaa); 20,800 in Gambia (1991); 868,800 in all countries (1991). Western, Saloum Valley around Joal. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Serer. Dialects: SEGUM, FADYUT-PALMERIN, SINE, DYEGUEME (GYEGEM), NIOMINKA. Recognized by the government as one of six national languages. 'Sereer' is their name for themselves. National language. Traditional religion, Muslim, Christian. NT 1987. Bible portions 1979.
SONINKE (MARKA, MARAKA, SARAKOLE, SARAWULE, SERAHULI, SILABE, TOUBAKAI, WAKORE, GADYAGA, ASWANIK) [SNN] 150,000 in Senegal (1993 UBS); 700,000 in Mali (1991), 30,000 in Mauritania; 90,000 in Burkina Faso (1991); 100,000 in Côte d'Ivoire (1991); 51,000 in Gambia (1991 SIL); 5,000 in Guinea Bissau (1993); 1,126,000 or more in all countries. Principally north and south of Bakel along the Senegal River. Bakel, Ouaoundé, Moudéri, and Yaféra are the principal towns. Also in Guinea and possibly in Niger. Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Soninke-Bozo. Dialect: AZER (ADJER, ASER). Dialects in Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, and possibly Gambia are close enough to use the same literature. Recognized by the government as one of six national languages. Radio broadcasts. Grammar. Dictionaries. National language. Muslim. Work in progress.
WAMEI (KONYAGI, CONIAGUI, DUKA, CONHAGUE) [COU] 14,000 in Senegal (1996 SIL); 4,000 in Guinea (1996); 18,000 in all countries. Southeast. Migration from Guinea no longer taking place. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda. 'Wamei' is their own name. Traditional religion, Christian. Work in progress.
WOLOF (OUOLOF, YALLOF, WALAF, VOLOF, WARO-WARO) [WOL] 2,620,000 in Senegal, including 100,000 Lebou (1991 Vanderaa); 36% of population (1976 WA); about 45% speak it as a second language; 10,000 in Mauritania (1993 Johnstone); 34,500 in France (1984 Time); 2,700,000 in all countries; 7,000,000 including second language speakers (1995 WA). Western and central, left bank of Senegal River to Cape Vert. May also be in Mali. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Wolof. Dialects: BAOL, CAYOR, DYOLOF (DJOLOF, JOLOF), LEBOU (LEBU), JANDER. The main African language of Senegal. Predominantly urban. Different from Wolof of Gambia. 'Wolof' is their name for themselves. Radio broadcastsDictionary. 40% literate in Wolof. National language. Muslim. NT 1988. Bible portions 1873-1982.
YALUNKA (JALONKÉ, DYALONKE, DJALLONKE, DIALONKE, YALUNKE) [YAL] 13,000 in Senegal (1991 L. Vanderaa CRC); 146,800 in Guinea (1991); 28,000 in Sierra Leone (1989 TISLL); possibly 10,000 in Mali (1991); 187,800 or more in all countries. Southeastern. Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Northern, Susu-Yalunka. Close to Susu, but only marginally intelligible. Muslim. NT 1976. Bible portions 1907. Work in progress.
Part of the Ethnologue, 13th Edition, Barbara F. Grimes, Editor.
Copyright © 1996, Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc. All rights reserved.
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