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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Senegal > Wolof

Wolof

A language of Senegal

ISO 639-3: wol

Population	3,930,000 in Senegal (2006). Population total all countries: 3,976,500.
Region	West and central, Senegal River left bank to Cape Vert. Also in France, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania.
Language map	Senegal and the Gambia, reference number 32
Alternate names	Ouolof, Volof, Walaf, Waro-Waro, Yallof
Dialects	Baol, Cayor, Dyolof (Djolof, Jolof), Lebou (Lebu), Jander. Different from Wolof of Gambia [wof].
Classification	Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Wolof
Language use	Official language. National language. Language of wider communication. Main African language of Senegal. Predominantly urban. Also use French or Arabic.
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 30%. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1988.
Writing system	Arabic script, Ajami style. Latin script.
Comments	‘Wolof’ is their name for themselves. Muslim.

Also spoken in:

Mauritania

Language name	Wolof
Population	12,000 in Mauritania (2006), increasing.
Language map	Mauritania
Alternate names	Ouolof, Volof, Walaf, Yallof
Dialects	Baol, Cayor, Dyolof (Djolof, Jolof), Lebou, Ndyanger.
Language use	National language. Home, market. All ages. Positive attitude.
Language development	Literacy rate in L2: 50% French.
Comments	Muslim.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

MARANZ, Louise, compiler; FALL, Malick, translator. 2000. Naka lañuy binde baat boobu? (Petit dictionnaire wolof - français pédagogique: suivi d’un index français-wolof).

UNSETH, Carla, author. 2009. "Vowel harmony in Wolof."  

Vernacular Publications

Bokk doole. 1994.

Cosaanu mbisaaw. 1996.

Jàngal wolof jàngal 1. 1994.

Jàngal wolof jàngal 2, 3. 1993.

Jàngal wolof jangal 2, 3. 1994.

Màggatum buur beek coro lu ndaw li: dundub liir yi; "Xale di dimbale xale". 1996.

Manuel de lecture et d’écriture de la langue wolof pour ceux qui lisent déjà en français. 1990.