Senegal

Languages

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc

Users: 88,300 in Senegal (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic

Badyara pbp

Kolda region: 1 village west of Koulountou river; Tambacounda region: east of the river. Users: 2,540 in Senegal (2017). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Badian, Badjara, Badjaranké, Bajara, Bigola, Gola, Kanjad, Pajade, Pajadinca, Pajadinka Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda

Bainouk-Gunyaamolo bcz

Sédhiou and Ziguinchor regions: Niamone area, Bangaga, Diamatou, Diengue, Dierena, Kanjumbay, Kassankil, and Tobor villages; Dakar; Kaolack, Kolda, and Tambacounda regions. Users: 30,000 (2013). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bagnoun, Bainuk, Banhum, Banyuk, Banyum, Banyun, Banyung, Elomay, Elunay, Guñuun Ñuñ Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Banyun

Bainouk-Samik bcb

Casamance river south side, mainly Samik area and villages north and east, 20 km east of Ziguinchor. Users: 1,850 (2006 J. Leclerc). Status: 6b (Threatened). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Banyun

Balanta-Ganja bjt

Sédhiou region: north of the Casamance river between Sindina and Sédhiou, south of the river between Mangakounda Goudomp and Tanaff, and south to the Guinea-Bissau border. Users: 116,000 (2017). Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 979 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Alante, Balanda, Balant, Balante, Ballante, Belante, Brassa, Bulanda, Fjaa, Fraase Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Balant-Ganja

Bambara bam

Tambacounda region: near Mali border. Users: 84,700 in Senegal (2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Northeastern Manding, Bamana

Bandial bqj

Ziguinchor region: Bignona department, Affiniam, Badiate-Grand, Bandial, Batinier, Brin, Elubalir, Enampor, Essil, Etama, Kamobeul, and Seleky villages on a peninsula bounded by the Casamance river north, the Komobeul Bôlon river west, Ziguinchor-Oussouye road south, and Brin-Nyassia road east. The only village north of the Casamance River is Affiniam. Users: 15,700 in Senegal (2017). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Banjaal, Banjal, Eegima, Eegimaa, Endungo, Jóola Banjal Autonym: Gubanjalay, Gújjolaay Eegimaa Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Gusilay

Bayot bda

Ziguinchor region: villages in Nyassia commune; majority in urban areas and in the larger cities, including Dakar. Users: 24,200 in Senegal (2020). Total users in all countries: 29,540. Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2011, Codification). Alternate Names: Baiot, Baiote, Bayoot, Bayotte, Jola Bayote Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Bayot

Casamance Creole pov

Ziguinchor region: Ziguinchor city and surrounding villages. Users: 30,000 in Senegal, all users. L1 users: 10,000 in Senegal (Biagui and Quint 2013), decreasing. A significant population (2,500) speaks Casamancese Creole in Dakar (Biagui and Quint 2013). L2 users: 20,000 (Biagui and Quint 2013). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Casamancese Creole, Casamançais, Créole, Créole afro-portugais de Casamance, Créole casamançais, Créole de Casamance, Kriyol, Portuguese Creole, Upper Guinea Crioulo Classification: Creole, Portuguese based

Ejamat eja

Ziguinchor region: a few villages south of Oussouye, including Kahem, Efok, Youtou. Users: 2,230 in Senegal (2006 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ediamat, Feloup, Felup, Felupe, Floup, Flup, Fulup Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Her-Ejamat

French fra

Widespread. Users: 4,210,000 in Senegal, all users. L1 users: 100,000 in Senegal (Diouf et al 2017). L2 users: 4,110,000 (2020). 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

Fulah ful

Users: Population total all languages: 35,337,640. Status:

Gusilay gsl

Ziguinchor region: Tionk Essil village, between Tendouck and Mlomp-North. Users: 21,800 (2017). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Gusiilay, Gusilaay, Kusiilaay, Kusilay Autonym: Gusiilaay Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Gusilay

Hassaniyya mey

Matam and Saint-Louis regions. Users: 196,000 in Senegal (2017). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Recognized language (2005, Decree No.980 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Hasaniya, Hasanya, Hassani, Hassaniya, Klem El Bithan Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic

Jalunga yal

Kédougou region: intersection of Mali, Guinea, and Senegal borders. Users: 13,300 in Senegal (2017), increasing. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dialonké, Djallonke, Dyalonke, Jalonké, Jalunga xuwiina’, Jalungas, Yalunka, Yalunke Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Susu-Yalunka

Jola-Fonyi dyo

Sédhiou region: Casamance river area north of Senegal-Gambia border; Ziguinchor region: Bignona area and east and southeast of Ziguinchor town. Users: 340,000 in Senegal. 243,000 Fonyi, 96,700 Buluf. 34,000 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 457,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Diola, Diola-Fogny, Dyola, Jola, Jola-Fogny, Joola-Fogny, Jóola, Kujamataak, Kújoolaak kati Kúfooñaak, Kújoolaay, Yola Autonym: Jóola fóoñi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Jola-Fonyi

Jola-Kasa csk

Ziguinchor region: Bignona and Oussouye departments at Casamance river mouth; Hitou and Niamoun villages north of Casamance river. Users: 45,100 in Senegal (2007), increasing. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bácuki, Casa, Diola-Kasa, Jóola-Kasa, kújoolowaay-kaasa Autonym: Jóola Kaasa Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Jola-Kasa

Kabuverdianu kea

Users: 39,000 in Senegal (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based

Karon krx

Ziguinchor region: Bignona department, Kafountine area and north; Kalisseye inlet to Casamance river, to Gambian border, east to Dioloulou; Karon islands. Users: 11,600 in Senegal (2017), increasing. A few hundred elderly monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 22,400. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Jola-Karone, Kaloon, Karone, Karoninka, Kouloonaay, Kulonay Autonym: Kuloonaay Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Karon-Mlomp

Kerak hhr

Ziguinchor region: Kabrousse village area southwest near Guinea-Bissau border. Users: 18,200 (2017). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Her, Keerak, Keeraku Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Her-Ejamat

Kobiana kcj

Ziguinchor region: Gambian border area. Users: 500 in Senegal (2017). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Buy, Cobiana, Guboy, Uboi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Nun

Krio kri

Users: 7,380 in Senegal (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, English based, Atlantic, Krio

Kuwaataay cwt

Ziguinchor region: Boukot-Diola, Bouyouye, Diembering, and Nyikine coastal villages south of Casamance river mouth; Dakar. Users: 8,710 (2017). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Kwatay Autonym: Kuwaataay Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Kwatay

Laalaa cae

Tambacounda region: Tambacounda department, Missira district, Nguene and Saal villages; Thiès region: Tivaouane department, Pambal district. Users: 17,300 (2019 SIL). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Lala, Lehar, Serer Autonym: Kelaalaa Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin

Mandinka mnk

Kolda region: Oussadou area on southeast border with Guinea; Sédhiou region: Casamance river north to The Gambia; Ziguinchor region: south of Casamance river. Users: 888,000 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 1,949,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 982 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Mande, Manding, Mandingo, Mandingue, Mandinque, Socé Autonym: Mandi’nka kango Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West

Mandjak mfv

Sédhiou region: Soukoutoto southeast to Guinea border, Casamance river, both sides; Ziguinchor region: from capitol southeast to Guinea border. Users: 146,000 in Senegal (2017). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 983 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Kanyop, Majak, Mandjaque, Mandyak, Manjaaku, Manjaca, Manjack, Manjaco, Manjak, Manjaku, Ndjak Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel

Maninkakan, Western mlq

Kédougou and Tambacounda regions: north of Gambia river; Kolda region: near easternmost point of The Gambia. Users: 1,630,000 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 2,067,260. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Malinka, Malinké, Maninga, Maninka, Maninka-Western, Maninkakan, Maninkaxan, Western Malinke Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West

Mankanya knf

Sédhiou region: Sédhiou city, Casamance river area; between Casamance and Soungrougrou rivers; Ziguinchior region: south along Casamance river, east and west of Ziguinchor city. Users: 41,100 in Senegal (2017), increasing. 3,000 monolinguals. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 984 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Mancagne, Mancang, Mankaañ, Mankanha, Uhula Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel

Ménik tnr

Kédougou region: Gambia river headwaters and Guinea border. Users: 5,200 (2017). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 985 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Bande, Basari du Bandemba, Bedik, Budik, Manik, Münik, Onik, Tandanke, Tenda, Tendanke Autonym: Ménik Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda

Mlomp mlo

Ziguinchor region: Bignona department, Mlomp village on Tendouck to Tiobon road, surrounding villages. Users: 7,500 (2017). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Gulompaay, Mlomp North Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Karon-Mlomp

Mòoré mos

Users: 44,800 in Senegal (2017). Status: Unestablished. 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 Senegal. Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Status: 9 (Second language only). Classification: Mixed language

Ndut ndv

Thiès region: between Thiès town and Atlantic coast. Users: 52,000 (2017). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Ndoute Autonym: Ndút Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin

Noon snf

Thiès region: Thiès town area. Users: 32,900 (2007). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 986 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Non, None, Serer, Serer-Noon Autonym: Noon Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin

Oniyan bsc

Kédougou and Tambacounda regions: border areas. Users: 18,200 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 31,200. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 987 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Ayan, Basari, Bassari, Bassari-Tanda, Biyan, Onian, Onëyan, Tenda Basari, Wo Autonym: Oniyan Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda

Paloor fap

Thiès region: 26 villages north of Blaise Diagne international airport and southwest of Thiès town. Users: 22,000 (Thornell et al 2017), increasing. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (2012, Codification (first draft)). Alternate Names: Falor, Palar, Palor, Serer, Siili, Siili-Mantine, Siili-Siili, Waro Autonym: Paloor Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin

Papel pbo

Users: 7,500 in Senegal (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel

Pulaar fuc

Widespread. Users: 4,150,000 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 5,398,700. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Peul, Peulh, Pulaar Fulfulde, Pël Autonym: Pulaar Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, Western

Pular fuf

Dakar; Sédhiou region: Casamance area. Seasonal migrants from Guinea and elsewhere. Users: 150,000 in Senegal (2006 J. Leclerc). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Fouta Dyalon, Fullo Fuuta, Futa Fula, Futa Jallon, Fuuta Jalon Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, West Central

Saafi-Saafi sav

Thiès region: between Nguekikh, Popenguine, and Thiès; Dakar region: airport area; 60 villages: 43 are over 80% Saafi, 8 are under 50%. Users: 200,000 (2012), increasing. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 2005-989 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Saafen, Saafi, Safen, Safi, Safi-Safi, Sereer Saafen, Serer-Safen, Serere-Saafen Autonym: Saafi-Saafi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin

Serer-Sine srr

Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, and Thiès regions: Saloum and Sine river valleys; Saint-Louis region: some south of Senegal river, Thile-Boubacar area. Users: 1,660,000 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 1,712,300. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Seex, Sereer, Serer, Serer-Sin, Serrer, Sine-Saloum, Sine-Sine, Sérère-Sine Autonym: Seereer Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Serer

Soninke snk

Kolda region: north of Velingara; Matam region: Kanel district; Tambacounda region: Koudi area along Senegal river south bank (Kinxenna dialect). 42 villages, Bakel, Moudéri, Ouaoundé, and Yaféra are principal towns. Users: 340,000 in Senegal (2017), increasing. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Sarakole, Sarakolle, Sarakule, Sarakulle, Sarangkolle, Saraxuli, Serahule, Soninkanxanne Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Soninke-Bobo, Soninke-Boso, Soninke

Susu sus

Users: 44,800 in Senegal (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Susu-Yalunka

Wamey cou

Kédougou region; a few in Tambacounda region; scattered along Guinea border. Users: 25,400 in Senegal (2017), decreasing. Total users in all countries: 50,200. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Conhague, Coniagui, Koniagui, Konyagi, Wamay, Wamei Autonym: Wameỹ Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda

Wolof wol

Widespread. Users: 12,208,000 in Senegal, all users. L1 users: 5,868,000 in Senegal (2013 census). L2 users: 6,340,000 (2017). Ethnic population: 6,900,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 12,266,290 (as L1: 5,926,290; as L2: 6,340,000). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Wolof has become an LWC through commerce and trade and is the lingua france in much of the country. The phenomenon of ‘wolofization’ has meant that people from many ethnic groups have adopted Wolof as their L1; most of the Senegalese population can speak and understand Wolof (2015 J. Leclerc). Alternate Names: Ouolof, Volof, Walaf, Waro-Waro, Yallof Autonym: Wolof Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Wolof

Xasonga kao

Tambacounda region. Users: 12,100 in Senegal (2017). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Kasonke, Kasso, Kasson, Kassonke, Khasonke, Xaasonga, Xaasongaxango, Xasongo, Xasonke Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West