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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Mali > Soninke

Soninke

A language of Mali

ISO 639-3: snk

Population	700,000 in Mali (1991). 125,000 Diawara (1991 Vanderaa), 374,042 L1 Marka speakers (1987 census). Population total all countries: 1,250,000.
Region	Nioro, Nara, Banamba, Yélémané, Kayes principal towns. Possibly in Niger. Also in Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal.
Language map	Mali, Enlarged Area
Alternate names	Aswanik, Maraka, Marka, Sarakole, Sarakule, Serahule
Dialects	Azer (Adjer, Aser), Kinbakka, Xenqenna.
Classification	Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Soninke-Bobo, Soninke-Boso, Soninke
Language use	National language. The Diawara (125,000 in 1993; Johnstone) live among the Soninke and speak the Sarakole dialect, but consider themselves separate from the Soninke. Also use Bambara [bam] or Fula [kfz].
Language development	Radio programs. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 2001.
Writing system	Arabic script. Latin script.
Comments	Their own name for the language is ‘Soninkanxaane’. The ‘Marka’ name used for Soninke is different from the Marka [rkm] language. Muslim.

Also spoken in:

Gambia

Language name	Soninke
Population	156,000 in Gambia (2006).
Region	Southeast corner.
Language map	Senegal and the Gambia, reference number 29
Alternate names	Aswanik, Gadyaga, Maraka, Marka, Sarahole, Sarahuli, Sarawule, Silabe, Toubakai, Wakore
Dialects	Azer (Adjer, Aser).
Comments	Muslim, Christian.

Guinea-Bissau

Language name	Soninke
Population	5,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2005 LeClerc).
Region	Northeast, north of Gaoual.
Alternate names	Marka, Sarakole, Serahule
Dialects	Azer (Adjer, Aser, Ajer, Masiin, Taghdansh).
Language use	Also use Fula [kfz] or Creole [pov]; some also use Mandinka [mnk].
Comments	Trace their origins to Gambia and Mali. Ethnic groups: Aser, Aswanik, Gadyaga, Marka, Markanka, Nono, Saracole, Serahuli, Sarawule, Tonbakai, Wakove. Muslim.

Mauritania

Language name	Soninke
Population	39,000 in Mauritania (2006).
Region	Chamama region.
Language map	Mauritania
Alternate names	Aswanik, Gadyaga, Marka, Sarakole, Sarawule, Serahuli, Silabe, Toubakai, Wakore
Dialects	Azer (Adjer, Aser).
Language use	National language. All ages. Positive attitude.
Language development	Literacy rate in L2: 20% French; 10% Arabic [arb].
Comments	Muslim.

Senegal

Language name	Soninke
Population	250,000 in Senegal (2007 LeClerc).
Region	North and south of Bakel along Senegal River. Bakel, Ouaoundé, Moudéri, and Yaféra are principal towns.
Language map	Senegal and the Gambia, reference number 29
Alternate names	Marka, Maraka, Sarahole, Sarakole, Sarangkolle, Sarawule, Serahule, Serahuli, Silabe, Toubakai, Walpre
Dialects	Azer (Adjer, Aser), Gadyaga.
Language use	Official language. National language. Also use French, Bambara [bam], or Fula [fub].
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%.
Comments	The Soninke trace their origins back to the Eastern dialect area of Mali (Kinbakka), whereas the northeastern group in Senegal is part of the Western group of Mali (Xenqenna). Thus, significant differences exist between the dialects of the 2 geographical groups of Soninke in Senegal. Muslim.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

Smeltzer, Brad Leroy. 1993. A review of Soninke cultural sub-systems.

Vernacular Publications

Baaraago a do xiisa tananu. 2004.  

Diŋa xayamanganke a do xiisa tananu. 2004.

Siisaaxon do Janxa: tagaaxun joppeye a do xiisa tananu. 2004.  

Siixu umoru fuutanken xiisa. 2004.