Naami | Ethnologue

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639: bzv
Alternate Names: Bebe, Yi Be Wu
Autonym: Naami
Population: 3,550 (2008 SIL).
Location:: North West region: Donga-Mantung division, Misaje subdivision, Bebe-Jama and Bebe-Jatto villages west of Nkambe, north of Ring Road.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Beboid
Dialects: Bebe Kete, Bebe Jama. Member of the Eastern Beboid subgroup. Lexical similarity: 85% with Kemedzung [dmo].
Typology: SVO; 13 noun classes; clause constituents marked by word order; 21 consonant and 9 vowel phonemes; tonal.
Language Use: All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Cameroon Pidgin [wes]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Hausa [hau]. Also use Kemedzung [dmo]. Also use Nigerian Fulfulde [fuv]. Also use Sari [asj]. Also use Tigon Mbembe [nza]. Used as L2 by Kemedzung [dmo], Sari [asj], Tigon Mbembe [nza].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy program started in 2011. Schooling is in English. Bible portions: 2014–2019.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Naami
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.

Location: North West region: Donga-Mantung division, Misaje subdivision, Bebe-Jama and Bebe-Jatto villages west of Nkambe, north of Ring Road.