Yaka

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A language of Central African Republic

ISO 639-3

axk

Alternate Names

Beká, Nyoyaka, Pygmée de Mongoumba, Pygmée de la Lobaye, Pygmées de la Sanghas, “Babinga” (pej.), “Bambenga” (pej.)

Autonym

Aka

Population

15,000 in Central African Republic (1996). Total users in all countries: 30,000.

Location

Lobaye prefecture: Mbaïki and Mongoumba subprefectures, forest along Congo border; Sangha-Mbaéré prefecture: Bambio and Nola subprefectures.

Language Maps

Central African Republic

Congo

Language Status

5* (Developing).

Classification

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, C, Ngondi (C.104)

Dialects

Beka (Bayaka, Gbayaka, Moyaka), Nzari.

Language Use

As speakers come out of the forest, they are shifting to Sango [sag]. Most also use Sango [sag].

Language Development

Bible portions: 2003–2007.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Yaka

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Different from Baka [bkc], which is Ubangi. Pygmies. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Congo

Language nameAka

Population Full

15,000 in Congo (Cavalli-Sforza 1986).

Location

Cuvette, Likouala, and Sangha departments.

Alternate Names

Babinga, Beka, Binga, Mòáka, Yaka

Dialects

Basese (Eastern Aka), Bambenzele (Western Aka).

Status

5* (Developing).

Language Use

As speakers come out of the confines of the forest, there is language loss in favor of Lingala [lin].

Other Comments

Mraka (sg.), Beka (pl.). Different from the Baka [bkc] language of Cameroon and Gabon, which is Ubangi. Possibly more than one pygmy language in Congo. Nomadic. Pygmies. Traditional religion.

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Ethnologue

Yaka

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A language of Central African Republic

Also spoken in:

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