Lama

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A language of Togo

ISO 639-3

las

Alternate Names

Lamba, Losso

Autonym

Lama

Population

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

Location

Widespread. Significant presence in Lomé.

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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. Used by all. 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:

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Benin

Language nameLama

Population Full

60,000 in Benin (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.

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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.

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Ethnologue

Lama

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A language of Togo

Also spoken in:

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