Vame

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A language of Cameroon

ISO 639-3
mlr
Alternate Names
Maslava, Pelasla, Pǝlasla
Autonym
Vamé
Population

8,500 (1992 SIL). Few monolinguals.

Location

Far North region: Mayo-Sava division, Mora and Tokombéré subdivisions, southern Mora massif south of Mora.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, Biu-Mandara, A, A.5
Dialects

Ndreme, Hurzo, Pelasla (Pǝlasla). Pelasla is reportedly more similar to Wuzlam [udl] than the other dialects are.

Language Use

Pelasla men almost always marry Wuzlam women; children grow bilingual in their own home. Home, village, church, public meetings. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Adamawa Fulfulde [fub], Wandala [mfi], Wuzlam [udl]. Also use French [fra], especially educated youth. Used as L2 by Wuzlam [udl].

Language Development
Plans for use in primary schools. Secondary pupils come from 4 different language groups (Wuzlam, Vame, Muyang and Mada). Older population largely illiterate; schoolchildren can read French and those who have been to Vame literacy classes can read Vame, also some Pelasla adults have learned Fulfulde in the church literacy classes. Many children do not go to school; parents do not always find education important. Literature. Videos. Dictionary. Texts. Bible portions: 2007.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Vame
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Pelasla is one of 6 ethnic groups: Pelasla, Mbreme, Ndereme, Afaem, Dumwa, Hurzo. Traditional religion, Christian.

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