Page Type: languageKom | Ethnologue

BKM ISO 639-3

Kom

Itangikom Autonym

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639
bkm
Alternate Names
Bamekon, Bikom, Kong, Nkom
Autonym
Itangikom
Population
233,000 (2005 CABTAL), increasing. 69,900 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 233,000.
Location:
North West region: south Boyo division, southeast of Wum town, northeast of Bamenda city; also major urban centers.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Originated in Cameroon. Today used as a church language and/or in other domains by nine language groups.
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Wide Grassfields, Narrow Grassfields, Ring, Center
Typology
Tonal.
Language Use
Vigorous. All domains. Oral use in local administration, church, commerce, written use in church, letters. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Cameroon Pidgin [wes]. Some also use English [eng]. Some also use Lamnso’ [lns]. A few also use Babanki [bbk]. A few also use Bum [bmv]. A few also use Chungmboko [cug]. A few also use French [fra]. A few also use Mmen [bfm]. A few also use Oku [oku]. Used as L2 by Aghem [agq], Babanki [bbk], Bum [bmv], Chungmboko [cug], Kemedzung [dmo], Laimbue [lmx], Mmen [bfm], Noone [nhu].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 30%. First Kom alphabet developed by German missionaries in 1880s. 5% can write Kom. 35 out of 90 schools have bilingual education. A few high schools have Kom language clubs, and Kom is a subject in extracurricular activities. Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Texts. NT: 2004. Agency: Kom Language Development Committee.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kom
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Christian, traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: North West region: south Boyo division, southeast of Wum town, northeast of Bamenda city; also major urban centers.