Ethnologue

Baoulé

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Baule, Baule-Ando, Bawule

Population

3,010,000 (2013). Total users in all countries: 3,014,060.

Location

Lacs, Lagunes, Gôh-Djiboua, Sassandra-Marahoué, Vallée du Bandama, Woroba, and Yamoussoukro regions. Widespread in the south.

Language Maps

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Dialects

None known. Reportedly similar to Anyin [any]. Many subgroups, but all claim to understand the standard variety.

Language Use

Also use French [fra]. Used as L2 by Abidji [abi], Attié [ati], Beng [nhb], Krobu [kxb], Yaouré [yre].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Radio. Grammar. Bible: 1998.

Language Resources

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Largest ethnic group in Côte d’Ivoire. Traditional religion, Christian.