Languages of Gambia
See language map.[See also SIL publications on the languages of Gambia.]
The Gambia, Republic of The Gambia. 1,617,000. National or official languages: English, Mandinka. Literacy rate: 40%. Immigrant languages: Bainouk-Gunyaamolo (26,300), Balanta-Kentohe (26,000), Bambara (5,740), Bassari (100), Bayot (500), Jola-Kasa, Krio (11,500), Mankanya (1,650), Mansoanka (1,600), Pular, Upper Guinea Crioulo (16,400), Wolof, Xasonga (1,600). Information mainly from J. Bendor-Samuel and Hartell 1989; CIA World Factbook 2007. Blind population: 2,700 (1982 WCE). The number of individual languages listed for Gambia is 11. Of those, 10 are living languages and 1 is a second language without mother-tongue speakers.
| English | [eng]
1,000 in Gambia (2004).
Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
|
| Jola-Fonyi | [dyo]
67,000 in Gambia (2006). districts southwest.
Alternate names: Diola-Fogny, Jola, Jola-Fogny, Kujamataak, Kújoolaak Kati Fooñi, Yola.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Jola-Fonyi
|
| Karon | [krx]
6,000 in Gambia (2007 SIL), increasing. None are monolingual. Ethnic population: 60,000. Western Division south coastal area, from Senegal border north as far as Brikam.
Alternate names: Karone, Karoninka.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Karon-Mlomp
|
| Mandinka | [mnk]
510,000 in Gambia (2006). West.
Alternate names: Mandé, Manding, Mandingo, Mandinque, Socé.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West
|
| Mandjak | [mfv]
26,300 in Gambia (2006). West, south of Gambia River.
Alternate names: Kanyop, Mandjaque, Mandyak, Manjaca, Manjack, Manjaco, Manjacu, Manjiak, Ndyak.
Dialects: Bok (Babok), Sarar, Teixeira Pinto, Tsaamo, Likes-Utsia (Baraa, Kalkus), Cur (Churo), Lund, Yu (Pecixe).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel
|
| Maninkakan, Western | [mlq]
3,300 in Gambia (2006). East.
Alternate names: Malinka, Malinke, Northwestern Maninka.
Dialects: Jahanka.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West
|
| N’ko | [nqo]
Classification: Mixed language
|
| Pulaar | [fuc]
295,000 in Gambia (2006).
Alternate names: Fulani, Fulbe Jeeri, Fulfulde-Pulaar, Peul, Peulh, Pulaar Fulfulde.
Dialects: Fulacunda (Fulakunda, Fulkunda), Toucouleur (Tukolor, Tukulor, Halpulaar, Haalpulaar).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fulani-Wolof, Fula, Western
|
| Serer-Sine | [srr]
31,900 in Gambia (2006). Northwest.
Alternate names: Seereer, Serer, Serer-Sin, Serrer, Sine-Saloum.
Dialects: Segum, Fadyut-Palmerin, Sine, Dyegueme (Gyegem).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Serer
|
| Soninke | [snk]
156,000 in Gambia (2006). Southeast corner.
Alternate names: Aswanik, Gadyaga, Maraka, Marka, Sarahole, Sarahuli, Sarawule, Silabe, Toubakai, Wakore.
Dialects: Azer (Adjer, Aser).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Soninke-Bobo, Soninke-Boso, Soninke
|
| Wolof, Gambian | [wof]
185,000 (2006). Western Division, Gambia River south bank, and central. Wolof of Senegal [wol] on north bank.
Dialects: Senegal Wolof intelligible with Gambia Wolof but with significant enough differences to require adaptation of materials. Needs further investigation.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Wolof
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