Koonzime
PrintA language of Cameroon
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Djimu, Dzimou, Kooncimo, Koozhime, Koozime, Nzime, Zimu
Population
40,000 (2011 SIL). 66% monolingual. Ethnic population: 40,000.
Location
East Region, Upper Nyong division areas, north and northwest Dja river, Lomie, Messok, Mindourou, Somalomo, and Alouma villages.
Language Maps
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Dialects
Badwe’e (Badjoue, Bajwe’e, Koozime), Nzime (Koonzime).
Language Use
Many Baka Pygmies speak it as L2. All domains, public discourse, government information, oral and written use in church, oral literature. All ages. Positive attitudes. Some also use French [fra].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: About 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 20%. 8,000 can read it, 150 can write it. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. New media. Radio programs. Dictionary. NT: 1998–2003.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script.
Glossonym: Koonzime refers to the Nzime dialect, Koozime to the Badwe’e dialect. Christian, traditional religion.