Koonzime

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A language of Cameroon

ISO 639-3
ozm
Alternate Names
Djimu, Dzimou, Kooncimo, Koozhime, Koozime, Nzime, Zimu
Population

40,000 (2011 SIL). 26,400 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 40,000.

Location

East region: Upper Nyong division, north and northwest Dja river, Lomie, Messok, Mindourou, Somalomo, and Alouma villages; South region: Dja-and-Lobo division.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Makaa-Njem (A.842)
Dialects

Badwe’e (Badjoue, Bajue, Bajwe’e, Koozime), Nzime (Koonzime).

Language Use

All domains, public discourse, government information, oral and written use in church, oral literature. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use French [fra]. Used as L2 by Baka [bkc], Kol [biw].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: About 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 20%. 8,000 can read it, 150 can write it. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. New media. Radio programs. Dictionary. NT: 1998–2003.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Koonzime
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Glossonym: Koonzime refers to the Nzime dialect, Koozime to the Badwe’e dialect. Christian, traditional religion.