Page Type: languageBalanta-Ganja | Ethnologue

BJT ISO 639-3

Balanta-Ganja

A language of Senegal

ISO 639
bjt
Alternate Names
Alante, Balanda, Balant, Balante, Ballante, Belante, Brassa, Bulanda, Fjaa, Fraase
Population
116,000 (2017).
Location:
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.
Language Status
6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 979 of 21 October).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Balant-Ganja
Dialects
Fganja (Ganja), Fjaalib (Blip). Minor differences between the 2 dialects.
Language Use
Some young people, all adults. Most also use Mandinka [mnk]. Some also use Wolof [wol], as the language of commerce and interethnic communication. A few also use French [fra], particularly those who have attended school. Also use Mandjak [mfv]. Also use Mankanya [knf].
Language Development
Literacy classes. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Balanta-Ganja
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
A separate language from Balanta-Kentohe [ble] in Guinea-Bissau. Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: 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.