Buwal | Ethnologue

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639: bhs
Alternate Names: Bual, Gadala
Autonym: Ma Buwal
Population: 10,000 (2004 SIL), increasing.
Location:: Far North region: Mayo-Tsanaga division, Mokolo subdivision, Gadala area, south of Mokolo.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, Biu-Mandara, A, A.7
Dialects: None known. Distinct phonological, grammatical and sociolinguistic differences with Gavar [gou]. Lexical similarity: 90% with Gavar [gou].
Language Use: Most domains. Used by all. Neutral attitudes. Some also use Gavar [gou]. Also use Adamawa Fulfulde [fub], in markets and churches. Also use French [fra], as language of instruction in school. Used as L2 by Gavar [gou], Mafa [maf], Mbudum [xmd].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 30% in Fulfulde [fub], 20% in French [fra]. L1 literacy is new. Literature. Grammar. Bible portions: 2019.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Buwal
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Outsiders’ name for Buwal is often Gadala, which is not offensive to Buwal speakers. Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.

Location: Far North region: Mayo-Tsanaga division, Mokolo subdivision, Gadala area, south of Mokolo.