Burkina Faso

Languages

American Sign Language ase

Scattered. Users: 102,000 in Burkina Faso (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 60,000–120,000, based on 0.3%–0.6% of the total population. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: ASL, Burkina Faso Sign Language, LSAF, Langue des signes de l’Afrique francophone Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language

Biali beh

Est region: Kompienga province at Benin border, south of Arli, 3 villages. Users: 1,500 in Burkina Faso (1991). 450 monolinguals. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Berba, Bieri, Bjerb, Bjeri, Burba, Byali Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Eastern

Birifor, Malba bfo

Sud-Ouest region: Bougouriba, Ioba, Noumbie and Poni provinces; west of Black Volta river. Users: 108,000 in Burkina Faso (1993). Many monolinguals. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Birafour, Birifo, Birifor, Malba, Malba-Birifor, Ngmalba, Nmalba, Northern Birifor Autonym: Bɩrfʋɔr Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, Birifor

Bisa bib

Centre-Est region: Boulgou, Koulpelogo, and Kouritenga provinces; Centre-Sud region: Bazega province; Zoundweogo province, Garango, Gomboussougou, Tenkodogo, and Zabré cities; Plateau-Central region: Ganzourgou province, Boudry department. Users: 399,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 775,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bissa, Bissa-Barka, Boussanse Autonym: Bɩsa Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Eastern, Eastern, Bissa

Bobo Madaré, Southern bwq

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Banwa province; Est region; Hauts-Bassins region: Houet province, Bobo Dioulasso area; Kenedougou and Tuy provinces. Users: 181,000 (2009 UNSD). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Black Bobo, Bobo, Bobo Fi, Bobo Fing Autonym: Boboda Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Soninke-Bobo, Bobo

Bolon bof

Hauts-Bassins region: Houet and Kenedougou provinces, N’Dorola and Samorogouan areas. 12 villages. Users: 17,000 in Burkina Faso (1998 SIL). Total users in all countries: 22,920. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Bo, Boka, Boon, Boron Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding

Bomu bmq

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Mainly Banwa province, Sami department; Hauts-Bassins region: Houet and Kenedougou provinces. Users: 56,000 in Burkina Faso (1991). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bobo Oule, Boomu, Boré, Mu Boomu, Western Bobo Wule Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Bwamu

Buamu box

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Bale, Banwa, Kossi, Mouhoun, and Nayala provinces; Centre-Ouest region: Sissili province; Est region; Hauts-Bassins region: Houet and Tuy provinces; Sud-Ouest region: Bougouriba and Ioba provinces; area 80 km east–west and 200 km north–south. Users: 268,000 (2009 UNSD). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bobo, Bomo, Bouamou, Bwaba, Bwamu, Eastern Bobo Oule, Eastern Bobo Wule, Red Bobo Autonym: Buamu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Bwamu

Bwamu, Cwi bwy

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Bale province, Kabourou area; Est region; Hauts-Bassin region: Tuy province, Founzan; Sud-Ouest region: Ioba province. Users: 24,000 (1999 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Bwamu Twĩ, Coo, Cwi, Twi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Bwamu

Bwamu, Láá Láá bwj

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Bagassi, Bale province, Boni, and Pâ villages area; Hauts-Bassins region. Users: 69,200 (2000). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Buamu Laa, Buamu-laa, Bwamu Laa, Kàdenbà, Yere Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Bwamu

Cerma cme

Cascades region: Comoe province. Users: 51,900 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 53,600. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Goin, Gouin, Gwe, Gwen, Kirma Autonym: Cerma Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Kirma-Tyurama

Dagaari Dioula dgd

Centre-Ouest region: Sissili and Zuri provinces, Boromo, Dano, Diébougou, Dissin, Fara, French Hamele, Gao, Leo, Pa, Silly, Soukoulaye, To, and Wessa. Users: 21,000 (1999 SIL). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dagaari Jula, Dagari Dyoula, Jari, Wala, Yari Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, Dagaari

Dagara, Northern dgi

Centre-Ouest region: Sissili province; Est region; Hauts-Bassins region: Tuy province; Sud-Ouest region: mainly Ioba and Bougouriba provinces; Noumbie and Poni provinces. Users: 247,000 (2009 UNSD). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Dagaara, Dagaare, Dagaari, Dagari, Dagati, Degati, Dogaari, Northern Dagaare Autonym: Dagara Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, Dagaari

Dogon, Jamsay djm

Nord region: Yatenga province; Sahel region: Soum province. North border with Mali. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dyamsay Tegu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Dogon

Dogon, Tomo Kan dtm

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Kossi province, Kombori department, near Mali border. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Tomo-Kan Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Dogon

Dogosé dos

Cascades region: Comoe province, Sidéradougou subdistrict, Koro, Kouere, Ouo, Sidéradougou, and Sirakoro; Hauts-Bassins region: Houet province; Sud-Ouest region: Poni province. Users: 20,000 (1991 O. Balagassina). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Doghose, Doghosié, Dokhobe, Dokhosié, Dorhossié, Dorhosye, Doro Doghosié, Dorobé, Dorosie, Dorossé Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Gan-Dogose

Dogoso dgs

Cascades region: Comoe province, Bondokoro, Dandougou, Sakédougou, Sokoura, Tolandougou, and Torokoro. Users: 9,000 in Burkina Faso (1999 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Bambadion-Dogoso, Bambadion-Dokhosié, Black Dogose, Dorhosié-Finng, Dorhosié-Noirs, Dorossié-Fing Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Dogoso-Khe

Dyan dya

Boucle du Mouhoun region: small areas in Bale province; Hauts-Bassins region: Houet province; Sud-Ouest region: Bougouriba province, Dolo, near Diébougou. Users: 14,100 (Vanderaa 1991). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dan, Dian, Dya, Dyane, Dyanu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Dyan

Dzùùngoo dnn

Hauts-Bassins region: Kenedougou province, Samogohiri and Samorogouan departments, Orodara town area, Diomou, Gnalé, Samogo-Iri, Samogogouan, Saraba, Sokouraba, and Todié. Cascades region: Leraba province, Sindou and Kankalaba departments (Kpeengo dialect). Users: 13,400 (1998 P. Solomiac). 4,020 monolinguals. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dzùùn, Eastern Duun, Samogho, Samogo, Samoro Autonym: Dzùùngoo, Kpankagooma Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Samogo

French fra

Users: 4,750,000 in Burkina Faso, all users. L1 users: 170,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 4,580,000 (Beck et al 2018). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 35). Alternate Names: Français Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French

Fulfulde, Northeastern Burkina Faso fuh

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Kossi and Sourou provinces south of Mopti town, Mali border; Centre-Nord region: Bam and Namentega provinces, small border areas; Sahel region: Oudalan, Seno, Soum, and Yagha provinces. Users: 1,170,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Status: 5* (Developing). De facto language of national identity. Alternate Names: Fulfulde Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, East Central

Gourmanchéma gux

Centre-Est region: Koulpelogo province; Centre-Nord region: Namentenga province; Est region: Gnagna, Gourma, Komandjari, Kompienga and Tapoa provinces; Sahel region: Seno and Yagha provinces. Users: 772,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 1,109,300. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Goulmacema, Gourmantche, Gulimancema, Gulmancema, Gurma, Migulimancema Autonym: Gourma Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma

Hausa hau

Scattered. Est region: Gourma and Tapoa provinces. Users: 3,000 in Burkina Faso (2021 Joshua Project). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Haoussa Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, West, A, A.1

Jalkunan bxl

Cascades region: Leraba province west of Banfora, Blédougou near Sindou town. Users: 500 (1995 SIL). Ethnic population: 800 (1995 SIL). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Blé, Dyala, Dyalanu, Jalkuna Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Jogo-Jeri, Jeri-Jalkuna

Jowulu jow

Cascades region: Leraba province, Noussoun and Tena villages near Mali boundary. Users: 1,000 in Burkina Faso (1999 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Jo, Samogho Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Samogo

Jula dyu

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Kossi province; Cascades region: Comoe and Leraba provinces; Hauts-Bassins region: Houet province; Kenedougou province, scattered. Users: 3,616,000 in Burkina Faso, all users. L1 users: 616,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 3,000,000 (2012 V. Vydrine). Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. Used as a trade language in the western half of the country, and sub-populations in all major cities. Alternate Names: Dioula, Dioula Véhiculaire, Diula, Djula, Dyoula, Dyula, Jula Kong, Julakan, Kong Jula, Tagboussikan, Trade Jula Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Northeastern Manding, Bamana

Kaansa gna

Cascades region: Comoe province; Sud-Ouest region: Poni province, Gaoua subdistrict, Loropéni department, bounded by Derbi east, Djigoué south, Loropéni west, and Yérifoula north; Bougouriba province. Users: 6,000 (1990 S. Showalter). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Gan, Gane, Gã, Kaan, Kaanse, Kan, Kãasa Autonym: Kã́asa Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Gan-Dogose

Kalamsé knz

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Sourou province, Tougan subdistrict, on Mali border. Users: 9,570 in Burkina Faso (1985 census). Total users in all countries: 12,070. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kalemsé, Sàmòmá Autonym: Sàmó Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Northern

Karaboro, Eastern xrb

Cascades region: Comoe province, east of main Ferké to Bobo-Dioulosso road and Banfora. Users: 35,000 in Burkina Faso (1995 SIL). Total users in all countries: 40,610. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Kɛ yur, Kai, Kar, Ker, Kler Autonym: Kai Yor Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Senufo, Karaboro

Karaboro, Western kza

Cascades region: Comoe province, west of main Ferké to Bobo-Dioulosso road and Banfora. Users: 30,200 (Vanderaa 1991). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Syer-Tenyer Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Senufo, Karaboro

Kasem xsm

Centre-Ouest region, Sissili province; Centre-Sud region: Nahouri province, Guiaro, Po, and Tiébélé towns. Users: 83,600 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 232,600. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Kasena, Kasim, Kassem, Kassena Autonym: Kasem Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Northern

Khe kqg

Cascades region: Comoe province, Boli, Lobo, Moromoro, Noumoukiedougou, Sessagbo, and Tiébata. Users: 1,300 in Burkina Faso (1983 SIL). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Bambadion-Kheso, Kheso Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Dogoso-Khe

Khisa kqm

Cascades region: Comoe province, Mangodara prefecture, 25 villages near Côte d’Ivoire border. Users: 3,000 in Burkina Faso (1991 SIL). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Khi, Khi Khipa, Komono, Kumwenu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Gan-Dogose

Konabéré bbo

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Banwa province, Tansilla area; Kossi province. Users: 35,000 in Burkina Faso (1995 SIL). Total users in all countries: 60,000. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Black Bobo, Bobo, Bobo Fi, Bobo Madaré, Boboda, Northern Bobo Madaré, “Bobo Fing” (pej.) Autonym: Kʋnabɩrɩ Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Soninke-Bobo, Bobo

Koromfé kfz

Centre-Nord region: Bam and Sanmatenga provinces; Nord region: Loroum province; Yatenga province: Titao subdistrict; Sahel region: Soum province, Djibo-Aribinda subdistrict. Users: 196,000 in Burkina Faso (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Total users in all countries: 202,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Fula, Fulse, Kouroumba, Kuruma, Kurumba, Kurumfe Autonym: Koromba Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Kurumfe

Kpeego cpo

Cascades region: Leraba province, Kankalaba department, Noumousoba and Tourny villages; southwest. Users: 2,000 (2012 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Noumou, Noumoukan, Numu Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern

Kusaal kus

Centre-Est region: Boulgou province, villages south of Zabré. Centre-Sud region: Narhouri province. Users: 12,800 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Koussassé, Kusaas, Kusale, Kusasi, Kʋsaal Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Southeast

Lobi lob

Cascades region: Comoe province; Sud-Ouest region: Bougouriba and Noumbiel provinces; Poni province, Gaoua southwest border area. Users: 220,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 490,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: ’Lobiir, Lobiri, Miwa Autonym: ’Lobiire Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Lobi

Lyélé lee

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Nayala province; Centre-Ouest region: Boulkiende province; north and central Sanguie province, Dassa, Didyr, Godyr, Kordie, Kyon, Réo, and Tenado subdistricts, Réo principal center; Nord region: Passore province. Users: 213,000 (2009 UNSD). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Gurunsi, Lela, Lele, Lyela, Lyele, Lyæ̀læ Autonym: Lyélé Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Northern

Marka rkm

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Bale, Banwa, Nayala, and Sourou provinces; Kossi and Mouhoun provinces: Nouna and Dedougou areas. Users: 135,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 185,800. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dafing, Marka Dafing Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Marka-Dafin

Moba mfq

Centre-Est region: Koulpelogo province, Ouargaye subdistrict. Users: 1,800 in Burkina Faso (Vanderaa 1991). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ben, Moa, Moab, Moare Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, Moba

Mòoré mos

Widespread. Central Ouagadougou area. Users: 6,360,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 7,984,800. Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. The Mossi (who are Mòoré speakers) settled in Burkina Faso in the tenth century and were the most powerful and influential ethnic group. Mòoré is spoken by more than half of the population of Burkina Faso. Spread throughout the central part of the country, with sub-populations in all major cities. Alternate Names: Mole, Moose, More, Moré, Moshi, Mossi Autonym: Mòoré Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest

N’ko nqo

Scattered. Users: No known L1 speakers in Burkina Faso. Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Status: 9 (Second language only). Classification: Mixed language

Natioro nti

Cascades region: Leraba province, Sindou subdistrict, Sindou town area west of Banfora; Dinaoro, Kawara, and Timba. Users: 2,400 (Vanderaa 1991). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Koo’ra, Natjoro, Natyoro Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Wara-Natioro

Ninkare gur

Centre-Est region: Boulgou province; Centre-Sud region: Narhouri province, Zecco and Ziou subdistricts; Zoundweogo province. Users: 25,100 in Burkina Faso (1991). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Farefare, Frafra, Gurenne, Gurne, Gurune, Nankani, Ninkarsé, fãrfãrɛ, gʋrnɛ Ninkãrɛ, nankam, nankana, ninkãrɛ Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest

Nuni, Northern nuv

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Bale and Mouhoun provinces, near Boromo; Centre-Ouest region: Sanguie province. Dialect dividing line is Mouhoun river. Users: 45,000 (1995 SIL). 15,000–25,000 in Northwestern Nuni, 25,000–35,000 in Northeastern Nuni. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Nibulu, Nouni, Nounouma, Nuna, Nune, Nunuma, Nuruma Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Northern

Nuni, Southern nnw

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Bale province, east Mouhoun province; Centre-Ouest region: Sanguie, Sissili and Zuri provinces; Centre-Sud region: west Narhouri. Over 100 villages. Users: 147,000 (2009 UNSD). Census figure (2009) is for all Nuni. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Nibulu, Nouni, Nounouma, Nuna, Nune, Nuni, Nunuma, Nuruma Autonym: Nʋnɩ Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Northern

Paleni pnl

Cascades region: Leraba province, Loumana department, Faniagara village. Users: 260 (2012 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Wara Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Wara-Natioro

Pana pnq

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Sourou province, Kassoum subdistrict, Oué town area, Sourou river valley from Mali. Users: 5,000 in Burkina Faso (1998). Total users in all countries: 7,800. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Sama Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Northern

Phuie pug

Hauts-Bassins region: Houet and Tuy provinces; Sud-Ouest region: Bougouriba and Ioba provinces north and west of Diébougou, northeast of Dano; possibly Est region. Users: 14,300 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Buguli, Buguri, Phuien, Phuó, Phwĩe, PhwĩƗ, Pougouli, Puguli, Pwa, Pwe, Pwie, Pwien, Pwo Autonym: Phuieŋ, Phuĩé Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Western

Samo, Matya stj

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Kossi province; Sourou province, Mouna and Solenzo areas; Bobo-Diolaso, Dedougou, Koudougou, and Ouagadougou cities. Users: 105,000 in Burkina Faso (1995 R. Jones). All Samo (San) languages: 233,000 (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 106,000. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Northern San Macaa, Northwestern Samo, San, San Ma Caa, San Macaa, San Matya, Sane, Sànán, Tougan, West Central Goe Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Eastern, Eastern, Samo

Samo, Maya sym

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Sourou province; Nord region: Yatenga and Zoundma provinces. North central. Users: 38,000 (1999). All Samo (San) languages: 233,000 (2009 UNSD). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Leburu, Northeastern Samo, Northern San Mayaa, Sa, San, San Maya, San Mayaa Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Eastern, Eastern, Samo

Samo, Southern sbd

Boucle du Mouhoun region: mainly Nayala province, Nouna and Solenzo areas; Sourou province; Centre-Ouest region: Sanguie province; Nord region: Passore province; Bobo-Dioulasso, Dedougou, Koudougou, and Ouagadougou cities. Gassan, Gossina, Kougny, Toma, Yaba, and Ye departments (Toma dialect). Users: 85,000 (1998). All Samo (San) languages: 233,000 (2009 UNSD). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Sa, Samo, San Maka, Sane Autonym: San Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Eastern, Eastern, Samo

Seeku sos

Hauts-Bassins region: Houet province, Bobo-Dioulasso department, Bama, Banzo, Bouendé, Karankasso, Tiara, and Torosso villages; Kenedougou province. Users: 16,000 (2009 UNSD). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Sambla, Samogho, Seenku, Sembla, Southern Samo Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Samogo

Sénoufo, Nanerigé sen

Hauts-Bassins region: Houet province, Bobo-Dioulasso department; Kenedougou province, Djigouera and north. Users: 50,000 (1985 census). All Senoufo languages: 173,000 (2009 UNSD). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Naani, Nandereke, Nandergé, Nanergué, Nanergé, Nanerige Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Senufo, Suppire-Mamara

Sénoufo, Senara seq

Cascades region: Comoe and southern Leraba provinces. Users: 50,000 (1995 SIL). All Senoufo languages: 173,000 (2009 UNSD). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Niangolo, Sénoufo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Senufo, Senari

Sénoufo, Sìcìté sep

Cascades region: Leraba province, Oueleni department; Hauts-Bassins region: Kenedougou province, Koloko and Ouelaní prefectures, Tagouara plateau to Mali border. Users: 35,000 in Burkina Faso (1999 SIL). All Senoufo languages: 173,000 (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 38,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Sucite, Sìcìré, Sìcìté, Sìpììté, Tagba Autonym: Sìcijuungé Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Senufo, Suppire-Mamara

Siamou sif

Hauts-Bassins region: Houet province, Toussiana department; Kenedougou province: Orodara is center, Bandougou, Didéri, Diéri, Diéridéni, Diossogou, Kotoudéni, Lidara, and Tin villages. Users: 17,400 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 52,100. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Seme, Siemu, Siémou, Syémou, Sému Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kru, Seme

Sininkere skq

Centre-Nord region: Sanmatenga province near Pensa. Users: 6,000 (1999 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Silanke, Silinkere Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding

Sissala sld

Centre-Ouest region: Sissili province between Léo and Hamale, 30 villages; Sud-Ouest region: Ioba province, Niego and Ouessa departments. Users: 13,000 (1991 SIL). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Isala, Sisaali, Sɩsaala Autonym: Sɩ́ssalɩ́ Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Western

Songhay hmb

Sahel region: Oudalan and Seno provinces, Falagountou, Ouanobian, and other towns. Central northeast. Users: 10,000 in Burkina Faso (2011 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Central Songai, Humburi Senni Songhay, Songai, Songay, Songay Senni, Songhai, Songoi, Songoy, Sonrai, Sonrhai Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Songhai, Southern

Tamasheq, Kidal taq

Nord region: Loroum province, into Yatenga province; Sahel region: Oudalan province. Users: 122,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Tamashekin, Timbuktu, Tomacheck, Tuareg Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Tamasheq, Southern

Téén lor

Sud-Ouest region: Poni province, Kampti subdistrict, 2 pockets west of Kampti. Users: 2,000 in Burkina Faso (1999). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Loghon, Lorhon, Loron, Nabe, Tegesie, Ténhé Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Teen

Tiéfo tiq

Cascades region: Comoe province, Dramandougou Tiéfo; Hauts-Bassins region: Houet province. Users: 1,000 (1995 SIL). Ethnic population: 12,000 (1995 SIL). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Kiefo, Tyefo, Tyeforo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Tiefo

Toussian, Northern tsp

Hauts-Bassins region: Houet province west of Bobo-Dioulasso; Kenedougou province north, east, and south of Orodara. Users: 19,500 (1995 SIL). 1,000 in Wenteene dialect, 18,500 in the other dialects. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Tusia, Tusian, Tusya, Tusyang Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Tusia

Toussian, Southern wib

Cascades region: Comoe Hauts-Bassins region, Houet province, halfway between Banfora and Bobo-Dioulasso; Toussiana is center area. Users: 19,500 in Burkina Faso (1995 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Tusia, Tusian, Tusya, Tusyang, Win Autonym: Wĩ́nwɛ́y Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Tusia

Turka tuz

Cascades region: Comoe province north and west of Banfora; Leraba province; Hauts-Bassins region: Houet and Kenedougou provinces; principal villages are dialect names. Users: 37,000 in Burkina Faso (1998 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Curama, Cuuramã, Tchourama, Tourka, Turuka, Tyurama Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Kirma-Tyurama

Viemo vig

Cascades region: Comoé province; Hauts-Bassins region: Houet province, Karankasso Vigué department, southeast of Bobo Dioulasso; Sud-Ouest region: Bougouriba province. Users: 8,000 (1995 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Vige, Vigué, Vigye Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Viemo

Wara wbf

Cascades region: Leraba province, Sindou town area, Néguéni is main village. Users: 4,500 (Johnstone 1993). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ouala, Ouara, Samoe, Samwé Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Wara-Natioro

Winyé kst

Boucle du Mouhoun region: Bale province, Boromo subdistrict, Boromo area, halfway between Bobo-Dioulosso and Ouagadougou, 17 to 18 villages; Centre-Ouest region: Sanguie province. Users: 20,000 (1999 SIL). Most are monolingual. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kols, Kolsi, Kõ Autonym: Winɩ́ɛ Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Western

Zarma dje

Est region: Tapoa province, scattered settlements. Users: 600 in Burkina Faso (1987 SIL). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Adzerma, Djerma, Dyabarma, Dyarma, Dyerma, Zabarma, Zarbarma, Zarma sanni, Zarmaciine, Zerma Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Songhai, Southern