Page Type: languageBagirmi | Ethnologue

BMI ISO 639-3

Bagirmi

Barma Autonym

A language of Chad

ISO 639
bmi
Alternate Names
Baghirmi, Bagrimma, Baguirme, Baguirmi, Lis, Lisi, Mbarma, Tar Bagrimma, Tar Barma
Autonym
Barma
Population
44,800 in Chad (1993 census).
Location:
Chari-Baguirmi region: Massenya subprefecture, Massenya area, Bousso subprefecture, Bousso area; Mayo-Kebbi Est and Moyen-Chari regions. West of Massenya and along Chari river between Guélendeng and N’Djamena (Bangri dialect); Chari river from Bousso to Guélendeng (Dam dialect); Massenya (Gol dialect); east of Massenya (Kibar dialect).
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Widely spoken as L2 or becoming L1 in neighboring people groups.
Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Satellite-Core, Satellites, Central Sudanic, West, Bongo-Bagirmi, Sara-Bagirmi, Bagirmi
Dialects
Gol, Kibar, Bangri, Dam. Many dialects.
Language Use
The language of the ancient Bagirmi kingdom. Also use Chadian Spoken Arabic [shu]. Used as L2 by Boor [bvf], Gadang [gdk], Kwang [kvi], Laal [gdm], Miltu [mlj], Sarua [swy].
Language Development
Almost no use in written form. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 2017.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bagirmi
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Relatively small language used vehicularly in a limited area. Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Chari-Baguirmi region: Massenya subprefecture, Massenya area, Bousso subprefecture, Bousso area; Mayo-Kebbi Est and Moyen-Chari regions. West of Massenya and along Chari river between Guélendeng and N’Djamena (Bangri dialect); Chari river from Bousso to Guélendeng (Dam dialect); Massenya (Gol dialect); east of Massenya (Kibar dialect).