Kom
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A language of Cameroon
233,000 (2005 CABTAL), increasing. 69,900 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 233,000.
North West region: south Boyo division, southeast of Wum town, northeast of Bamenda city; also major urban centers.
3 (Wider communication). Used by speakers of many other languages.
Mbizenaku (Itangimbesa, Mbesa).
Tonal.
Vigorous. All domains. Oral use in local administration, church, commerce, written use in church, letters. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Cameroon Pidgin [wes]. Some also use English [eng]. Also use Babanki [bbk], Bum [bmv], Chungmboko [cug], French [fra], Lamnso’ [lns], Mmen [bfm], Oku [oku]. Used as L2 by Aghem [agq], Babanki [bbk], Bum [bmv], Chungmboko [cug], Kemedzung [dmo], Koma [kmy], Laimbue [lmx], Mmen [bfm], Noone [nhu].
Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 30%. 5% can write Kom. 35 out of 90 schools have bilingual education. A few high schools have Kom language clubs, and Kom is a subject in extracurricular activities. Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 2004. Agency: Kom Language Development Committee.
Latin script [Latn].
Christian, traditional religion.