Lama

Primary tabs

A language of Togo

ISO 639-3

las

Alternate Names

Lamba, Losso

Autonym

Lama

Population

198,000 (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Total users in all countries: 258,000.

Location

Widespread. Significant presence in Lomé.

Language Maps

Benin

Togo

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Eastern

Dialects

Kande (Kante), Kadjala (Kadjalla), Defale. Reportedly similar to Tem [kdh] and Kabiye [kbp].

Language Use

Home, neighborhood, work. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use French [fra], Kabiyè [kbp], Tem [kdh], Éwé [ewe]. Used as L2 by Miyobe [soy], Nawdm [nmz].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 20%. Dictionary. NT: 1993–1995.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Lama

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

Expand All

Collapse All

Benin

Language nameLama

Population Full

60,000 (2006 J. Leclerc).

Location

Atacora department: Boukoumbé commune, northwest of Boukoumbé town, scattered villages; Donga department: Bassila and Djougou communes.

Alternate Names

Lamba, Losso

Dialects

Kande (Kante), Kadjala (Kadjalla).

Status

6a (Vigorous).

Language Use

Also use French [fra].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%.

Other Comments

Lama is name for the people and language. Losso refers to people on the Losso Plain who can either be Lama or Nawdm. Traditional religion, Christian.

View other languages of Benin

Ghana

Language nameLama

Population Full

Several hundred or perhaps thousands in Ghana (1996).

Location

Northern region: between Tamale and Yendi.

Alternate Names

Lamba, Losso

Dialects

Kadjala (Kadjalla).

Status

5 (Developing).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Ghana

Ethnologue

Lama

Primary tabs

A language of Togo

Also spoken in:

Browse by

Current Edition

Products

Related Sites

Contact