Comoros

Summary

Official Name

Union of the Comoros

International Conventions

ACHPR (1986), CPPDCE (2013), CSICH (2013), UNCRPD (2016), UNDRIP (2007)

Population

874,000

Principal Languages

French, Standard Arabic

Literacy Rate

78% (2015 World Factbook)

General References

Chagnoux and Haribou 1980, Chamanga and Gueunie 1967, Ottenheimer and Ottenheimer 1976

Language Counts

The number of established languages listed for Comoros is 7. All are living languages. Of these, 3 are indigenous and 4 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 2 are institutional, 3 are developing, and 2 are vigorous. Also listed is 1 unestablished language.

Languages

Arabic, Standard arb: Widespread. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Comorian, Mwali wlc: Moheli Autonomous Island. Users: 41,000 in Comoros (2018). Total users in all countries: 42,500. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Statutory language of provincial identity in Moheli Island (2002, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Mohélien, Mwali, Shimwali Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.44)
Comorian, Ndzwani wni: Anjouan Autonomous Island. Users: 350,000 in Comoros (2018). Total users in all countries: 361,000. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Statutory language of provincial identity in Anjouan Island (2002, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Hinzua, Njuani Autonym: Shindzwani Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.44)
Comorian, Ngazidja zdj: Grande Comore Autonomous Island. Users: 400,000 in Comoros (2018). Total users in all countries: 412,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Statutory language of provincial identity in Grande Comore (2002, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Ngazidja, Ngazija, Shingazija Autonym: Shingazidja Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.44)
French fra: Users: 217,750 in Comoros, all users. L1 users: 1,750 in Comoros (2019). L2 users: 216,000 (2018). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Français Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Makhuwa vmw: Users: 13,600 in Comoros (2018). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Makua Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31)
Malagasy plt: Scattered. Users: 2,000 in Comoros (2018). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Ambaniandro, Borizany, Fiteny Malagasy, Hova, Malagasy fiteny, Malgache Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Swahili swh: Users: 1,000 in Comoros (2018). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.42)

Languages by Status

1 (National)

French

[fra] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). 217,750 in Comoros, all users. L1 users: 1,750 in Comoros (2019). L2 users: 216,000 (2018).

Arabic, Standard

[arb] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2001, Constitution, Article 1).

5 (Dispersed)

Malagasy

[plt] 5* (Dispersed). 2,000 in Comoros (2018).

5 (Developing)

Makhuwa

[vmw] 5* (Developing). 13,600 in Comoros (2018).

Comorian, Ngazidja

[zdj] 5* (Developing). Statutory language of provincial identity in Grande Comore (2002, Constitution, Article 1). 400,000 in Comoros (2018). Total users in all countries: 412,000.

6a (Vigorous)

Comorian, Mwali

[wlc] 6a* (Vigorous). Statutory language of provincial identity in Moheli Island (2002, Constitution, Article 1). 41,000 in Comoros (2018). Total users in all countries: 42,500.

Comorian, Ndzwani

[wni] 6a* (Vigorous). Statutory language of provincial identity in Anjouan Island (2002, Constitution, Article 1). 350,000 in Comoros (2018). Total users in all countries: 361,000.