Buwal

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A language of Cameroon

ISO 639-3
bhs
Alternate Names
Bual, Gadala, Ma Buwal
Population

7,000 (2001 SIL), increasing.

Location

Far North Region, Mayo-Tsanaga division, Mokolo subdivision, Gadala area, south of Mokolo.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, Biu-Mandara, A, A.7
Dialects

High levels of mutual intelligibility with Gavar [gou]. Distinct phonological, grammatical and sociolinguistic differences. Lexical similarity: 90% with Gavar [gou].

Language Use

Most domains. All ages. Neutral attitudes. Also use Fulfulde [fub] and French [fra]. Schooling is in French.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 30% Fulfulde [fub], 20% French (est.). L1 literacy is new. Bible portions.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Outsiders’ name for Buwal is often Gadala, which is not offensive to Buwal speakers. Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.