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 (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

15,000 (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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