Togo

Languages

Adangbe adq

Plateaux region: Togo, Ghana border directly east of Ho. Users: 4,000 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Adan, Adantonwi, Agotime, Dangbe Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Kposo-Ahlo-Bowili

Adele ade

Centrale region: Sotouboua prefecture. Users: 26,400 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Total users in all countries: 37,400. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bedere, Bidire, Gadre, Gidere, Gidire Autonym: Gɩdɩrɛ Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Nyo, Potou-Tano, Basila-Adele

Aguna aug

Plateaux region: Moyen-Mono prefecture; Maritime region: Lacs and Yoto prefectures, north and south of ‘Forêt de Togodo’, both sides of Mono river; Lomé and other towns south. Users: 14,000 in Togo (2013 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Aguna-gbe, Agunaco, Agunagbe, Agunaný, Awuna Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe

Aja ajg

Maritime region: Lacs and Yoto prefectures, east of Mono river; Plateaux region: Haho, Moyen-Mono, and Ogou prefectures, Mono river area, southeast of Atakpame town. Users: 190,000 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Adja, Ajagbe Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe, Aja

Akan aka

Users: 80,700 in Togo (2019). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Nyo, Potou-Tano, Tano, Central, Akan

Akaselem aks

Centrale region: Tchamba prefecture east of Sokodé. Users: 59,200 (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Akasele, Cemba, Chamba, Kamba, Kasele, Tchamba Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, Ntcham

Akebu keu

Plateaux region: Agou and Wawa prefectures east of Ghana, mostly Djon, Kamina, Kougnohou, Sérégbéné, and Yala. Users: 70,300 (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Akebou, Akébou, Ekpeebhe, Ekpeebhibhe, Gakagba, Kabu, Kebu, Kegberike, Kébou, kekpeerike Autonym: Kǝkpǝǝ-kǝ Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Kebu-Animere

American Sign Language ase

Scattered. Users: 40,000 in Togo (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 24,000–48,000 deaf signers, based on 0.3%–0.6% of the total population. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: LSAF, Langue des signes de l’Afrique francophone, Togo Sign Language Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language

Anii blo

Centrale region: Tchamba prefecture, Afem, Balanka, Kouloumi, and Nandjoubi villages. Users: 15,300 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Akpe, Baseca, Basila, Bassila, Gisida, “Ounji-Ounji” (pej.), “Winji-Winji” (pej.) Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Nyo, Potou-Tano, Basila-Adele

Anufo cko

Savanes region: Oti prefecture, Mango town area. Users: 72,100 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chakosi, Chokosi, Chokossi, Tchokossi, Tiokossi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Nyo, Potou-Tano, Tano, Central, Bia, Northern

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc

Users: 8,200 in Togo (2019). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic

Bago-Kusuntu bqg

Centrale region: Tchamba prefecture, mostly Bagou and Koussountou. Users: 9,900 (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Koussountou Autonym: Bagó, Kusuńtú Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Eastern

Biali beh

Savanes region: Kpendjal prefecture, along Benin border. Users: 2,580 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Byali Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Eastern

Bissa bib

Savanes region: Kpendjal prefecture, Burkina Faso border. Users: 6,000 in Togo (2019). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Bisa Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Eastern, Eastern, Bissa

Delo ntr

Centrale region: Sotouboua prefecture; Plateaux region: Wawa prefecture, near Ghana border. Users: 7,500 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ntribou, Ntribu, Ntrubo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Eastern

Ditammari tbz

Kara region: Kéran prefecture, mostly Koutougou, Nadoba, Wantema, and Warengo; Savanes region, Oti prefecture, western corner. Users: 34,300 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bataba, Batammarab, Soma, Some, Tamari, Tamberma, “Somba” (pej.) Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Eastern

Éwé ewe

Widespread. Maritime and Plateaux regions: south of Atakpamé. Kpalimé, Notsé, and Tsévié are main centers. Users: 1,700,000 in Togo (2019). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Ehwe, Eibe, Eve, Krepe, Krepi, Popo, Vhe Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe

Fon fon

Plateaux region: north and south Atakpamé, scattered small groups. Users: 70,400 in Togo (2019). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Dahomeen, Djedji, Fo, Fogbe, Fon-Gbe, Fonnu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe, Fon

French fra

Users: 5,686,200 in Togo, all users. L1 users: 6,200 in Togo (2019). L2 users: 5,680,000 (Beck et al 2018). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1992, Constitution, Article 3). Alternate Names: Français Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French

Fulfulde, Borgu fue

Kara and Savannes regions; scattered small groups. Users: 110,000 in Togo (2019). Often speak the language of their home base as a second language (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Benin-Togo Fulfulde, Fulani, Peul, Peulh Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, West Central

Ga gaa

Users: 48,400 in Togo (2019). Status: Unestablished. Alternate Names: Amina Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Nyo, Ga-Dangme

Gbe, Maxi mxl

Plateaux region: north and south of Atakpamé; isolated villages south. Users: 50,800 in Togo (2019). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Mahi, Maxi-Gbe Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe, Fon

Gbe, Waci wci

Maritime region: Bas-Mono, Lacs, Vo, and Yoto prefectures, mostly Attitogon, Tabligbo, and Vogan. Users: 854,000 in Togo (2019). Total users in all countries: 915,300. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ouatchi, Wachi, Waci, Waci-Gbe, Watyi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe

Gbe, Western Xwla xwl

Maritime region: southeast Lacs prefecture, along Mono river. Users: 31,100 in Togo (2019). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Xwla Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe

Gen gej

Maritime region: Lacs prefecture, east of Lomé toward Benin border. Users: 476,000 in Togo (2019). Total users in all countries: 606,000. Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Gɛgbe, Ge, Gebe, Guin, Mina, Mina-Gen, Popo Autonym: Gen-Gbe Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe, Mina

Ginyanga ayg

Centrale region: Blitta prefecture, west and south of Blitta town. Users: 16,500 (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Ethnic population: 12,500. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Agnagan, Anyanga, Genyanga Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Nyo, Potou-Tano, Tano, Guang, North Guang

Gourmanchéma gux

Savanes region: Kpendjal prefecture; east Tone prefecture, Mandouri subprefecture, mostly Korbongou and Mandouri. Users: 204,000 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Gourma, Gourmantche, Gulimancema, Gurma, Migulimancema Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma

Hausa hau

Widespread, especially north; mostly larger towns; Lome. Users: 21,900 in Togo (2019). Status: Unestablished. Alternate Names: Haoussa, Haussa Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, West, A, A.1

Ifè ife

Centrale region: west Tchamba prefecture; Plateaux region: Anié, Est-Mono, and north Ogou prefectures, mostly Atakpamé, Dadja, Ese-Ana, and Kamina. Users: 127,000 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Total users in all countries: 170,600. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Ana, Ana-Ifé, Anago, Baate, Ede Ife Autonym: Ifè Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Defoid, Yoruboid, Edekiri

Igo ahl

Plateaux region: far northwest Danyi prefecture, Bogo-Ahlon canton, Sassanou village area. Users: 7,600 (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). No monolinguals. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Achlo, Ago, Ahlon, Ahlon-Bogo, Ahlõ, Ahonlan, Anlo, Bogo Autonym: Igo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Kposo-Ahlo-Bowili

Ikposo kpo

Plateaux region: Amou, Ogou, and Wawa prefectures, mostly Amlamé, Amou-Oblo, and Atakpamé. Users: 226,000 in Togo (2019). Total users in all countries: 233,500. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Akposo, Akposso, Kposo Autonym: Ikposo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Kposo-Ahlo-Bowili

Kabiyè kbp

Widespread. Users: 975,000 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Total users in all countries: 990,600. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Cabrai, Cabrais, Kabre, Kabure, Kabye Autonym: Kabɩyɛ, Kabɩyɛ Tɔm Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Eastern

Konkomba xon

Kara region: Dankpen prefecture, Ghana border, Guérin-Kouka, Kidjaloum, and Nawaré; Savanes region: south Oti prefecture. Users: 84,700 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Likpakpaanl Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma

Kpessi kef

Centrale region: Nyamassila area west of Mono river; Plateaux region: Est Mono prefecture. Users: 5,880 (2019). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kpesi, Kpetchi, Kpési, Kpétsi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe

Kusaal kus

Savanes region: Cinkassé area, near Burkina Faso and Ghana borders. Users: 1,200 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kusaas, Kʋsaal Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Southeast

Lama las

Widespread. Significant presence in Lomé. Users: 198,000 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Total users in all countries: 258,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Lamba, Losso Autonym: Lama Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Eastern

Lukpa dop

Centrale region: a few villages; Kara region: Binah prefecture along Benin border. Users: 17,900 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Dompago, Legba, Logba, Lokpa, Lugba Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Eastern

Mampruli maw

Savanes region: Tone prefecture, 2 villages near Ghana border. Users: 10,000 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Southeast

Mbelime mql

Kara region: Kéran prefecture, Koko Tamberma canton. Users: 2,300 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Bebelibe, Bèbèdibè, Oubièlo, Ubielo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Eastern

Miyobe soy

Kara region: Solla prefecture. Users: 14,900 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bijobe, Biyobe, Kuyobe, Kyobe, Mɛyɔ́pɛ, Sola, Solamba, Solla, Sorouba, Soruba, Uyobe Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma

Moba mfq

Savanes region: Tandjoaré prefecture, into Oti and Tône prefectures, mainly Bombouaka and Dapaong towns. Users: 319,000 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Total users in all countries: 320,800. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Jifelm, Moa, Moab, Moare Autonym: Muaba Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, Moba

Mòoré mos

Savanes region: Cinkassé prefecture, Cinkassé, Tabi, and Timbou villages north of Dapaong. Users: 33,300 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Mole, Moose, More, Moshi, Mossi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest

Nago, Northern xkb

Centrale region: Tchamba prefecture, Kambolé town area, Benin border. Users: 58,800 in Togo (2019). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kambolé, Southwest Ede Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Defoid, Yoruboid, Edekiri

Nawdm nmz

Centrale region: Sotouboua and Tchamba prefectures; Kara region: Bassar and Doufelgou prefectures, Niamtougou area; Plateaux region: Amou, Est-Mono, Haho, and Wawa prefectures; many in Lomé. Users: 146,000 in Togo (2012 SIL). 7,300 monolinguals. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Losso, Losu, Naoudem, Naudm, Nawdam Autonym: Nawdm Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Yom-Nawdm

Ngangam gng

Kara region: small area in Kéran prefecture; Savanes region: Oti prefecture, Gando-Namoni, Koumongou, Kountouri, and Mogou areas. Users: 57,400 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Total users in all countries: 217,400. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Dye, Gando, Gangam, Gangum, Migangam, Mijiem, Nbangam, Ngangan Autonym: Miganganm Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma

Ntcham bud

Kara region: Bassar and eastern Dankpen prefectures, Bangeli, Bitchabe, Dimori, Kabou, and Kalanga areas. Users: 160,000 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Total users in all countries: 329,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Basar, Basare, Basari, Bassar, Bassari, Ncham, Tobote Autonym: Ncam Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, Ntcham

Tem kdh

Centrale region: Sotouboua and Tchaoudjo prefectures, Bafilo, Sokode, and Sotouboua; Kara region: Assoli and Bassar prefectures; Plateaux region: north Agou prefecture near Badou. Users: 234,000 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Total users in all countries: 390,200. Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Cotocoli, Kotokoli, Temba, Tim, Timu Autonym: Tem Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Southern, Grusi, Eastern

Wudu wud

Plateaux region: Amou prefecture, some near Atakpame. Users: 2,500 (2019). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Kwa, Left Bank, Gbe

Yoruba yor

Major cities. Users: 121,000 in Togo (2019). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Defoid, Yoruboid, Edekiri