Fang

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A language of Equatorial Guinea

ISO 639-3
fan
Alternate Names
Pahouin, Pamue
Population

534,000 in Equatorial Guinea (2011 S. Smith), increasing. Population total all countries: 1,264,900.

Location

Widespread. Also in Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, São Tomé e Príncipe.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Yaunde-Fang (A.75)
Dialects

Ntumu, Okak (Ntumu). Intelligible with Bulu [bum] and Ewondo [ewo] in the Beti language subgroup. More similar to Bulu [bum] than Ewondo [ewo].

Language Use

All domains. All ages. Very positive attitudes. Most are bilingual in Spanish [spa], 30% in French [fra].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Few read Fang. Literacy rate in L2: 77% in Spanish. Poetry. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 2000.
Writing
Latin script, used since 1995.
Other Comments

Ethnic groups are Okak, Ntumu, known as warriors of the jungle. Their knowledge of jungle plants, animals, survival is legendary. Christian, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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