Page Type: languageBidyogo | Ethnologue

BJG ISO 639-3

Bidyogo

A language of Guinea-Bissau

ISO 639
bjg
Alternate Names
Bijago, Bijogo, Bijougot, Bijuga, Budjago, Bugago
Population
36,000 (2018).
Location:
Bolama region: Bolama sector nearest mainland, Bijago archipelago in Bubaque sector, Bubaque, Orango, and Roxa islands; Caravela sector northwest, Carache, Caravela, and Uno islands; other associated islands. Roxa island (Anhaqui dialect), Bubaque island (Kagbaaga dialect), Orango and Uno islands (Kajoko dialect), Caravela and Carache islands (Kamona dialect).
Language Status
6a* (Vigorous).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Bijago
Dialects
Anhaqui (Anhaki), Kagbaaga, Kamona (Caravela), Kajoko (Uno), Karanguna (Orango), Kavrama, Formosa, Kasuga. Some intelligibility problems reported between dialects, but only Kamona said to be unintelligible to others. Important grammatical differences between Kagbaaga and Anhaqui, Kagbaaga and Kajoko. No information about dialects on Galinhas and Formosa islands. Lexical similarity: Galinhas dialect is 69% similar to Uno dialect; Formosa has highest (75%) with Galinhas, and lowest (55%) with Caravela dialect; Bubaque has 66% with Uno; Canhabaque and Caravela have 62% with Uno; Formosa and Uracane have 81% with Uno. (2009 F. Sabio).
Language Use
On many islands people are more comfortable using Bijago rather than Crioulo [pov] (2009 F. Sabio). Most also use Guinea-Bissau Creole [pov], as the language of interethnic unity, communication, and commerce. Some also use Portuguese [por], as the language of education and communication with foreigners.
Language Development
Little literacy work has been done. Grammar. NT: 1975.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bidyogo
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Bolama region: Bolama sector nearest mainland, Bijago archipelago in Bubaque sector, Bubaque, Orango, and Roxa islands; Caravela sector northwest, Carache, Caravela, and Uno islands; other associated islands. Roxa island (Anhaqui dialect), Bubaque island (Kagbaaga dialect), Orango and Uno islands (Kajoko dialect), Caravela and Carache islands (Kamona dialect).